Companion Animals

Dog Bite Prevention and Child Safety

Evidence-based approaches to dog bite prevention focusing on child safety and responsible ownership.

Key Facts

Children under 10 are at highest risk of serious dog bites
Most dog bites happen in familiar settings with known dogs
Dogs bite when they feel threatened, in pain, or their warnings are ignored
Teaching children to read dog body language significantly reduces bite risk
Breed-specific legislation has not reduced dog bite incidence in most jurisdictions

Welfare Considerations

Dog bites cause welfare costs for both children and dogs, as dogs involved in serious bite incidents are often euthanised, making prevention a welfare priority for both.

What You Can Do

Teach children to always ask permission before approaching any dog
Learn to recognise stress signals in dogs indicating discomfort
Support evidence-based bite prevention education in schools