School sessions on safe dog practises to start

Hundreds of school children in the Far North will benefit from a new programme that teaches them how to be safe around dogs and to care for them properly.

The sessions launch next month in schools around the district and will be run by the council’s Animal Management Team.

Kids ranging from 5 to 13 years old will be given information about how to stay safe around dogs, including the key message of “if a dog is on its own, leave it alone”.

The sessions will focus on promoting safety to reduce dog aggression and encourage responsible interactions with dogs. Reducing the risk of dogs biting or attacking a person is an important driver of the course, which will teach children how to adapt their behaviour to de-escalate situations. For example, understanding when a dog may feel anxious or need space will be a key skill taught. Children will understand the correct way to interact with their own dog and what precautions to take before handling other people’s dogs.

Ruben Garcia, Group Manager – Delivery and Operations says the course will offer important tools to help reduce incidents where dogs may become aggressive.

“One dog attack, anywhere in New Zealand, is one too many. Learning how to act around dogs from a young age is very important for keeping children safe but also for spreading that knowledge throughout the community.”

Another positive outcome of the sessions is to create safer communities. Parents are being encouraged to attend the sessions alongside their children to foster a deeper, community-wide understanding of safe dog practises. Children who attend the course will be given follow-up sessions, presented with certificates and have the opportunity to give feedback.

Schools signed up for the programme in August and September include – Kaikohe Intermediate, Kaikohe West School, Oruaiti School (Mangōnui), Mangōnui School, Peria School, Kaingaroa School, Taipā Area School, and Te Kura o Ōmanaia.

If your school is interested in being included in the programme, please contact us on 0800 920 029.