‘Keep children safe from pets’
A programme which aims to keep youngsters safe around dogs is being launched in Sunderland this week.
The UK’s largest dog welfare charity, Dogs Trust, is supporting Sunderland Safeguarding Children Board as part of the campaign, which will be launched to coincide with Child Safety Week.
Parents, carers and the public will be provided with practical information about the steps they can take to help keep babies, children and young people safe.
Sir Paul Ennals, independent chairman of the Sunderland Safeguarding Children Board, said: “Dogs Trust runs a successful Be Dog Smart programme in schools across the country, so we have enlisted the help of the charity to help us get the message across about dog safety around babies and young children.
“Many of us will have grown up with a dog as a family pet and see them very much as being part of the family.
“But it’s really important that families are also aware of how they can teach children to act responsibly around dogs and the importance of supervising dogs around babies and children.
“While attacks on children are thankfully exceptionally rare, there are some very basic steps that we can all take to help parents, babies, children, and dogs live together safely and happily.
“The number one message we want to get across is that you should never leave a baby or young child alone with a dog.”
Information leaflets and posters from Dogs Trust will be distributed across the city this week.
Locations including schools, children’s centres and GP surgeries will receive them.