Dog attacks prompt new course


25 October 2007 08:29

An alarming rise in the number of children being bitten by their pet dogs has prompted a Norwich vet to set up a pioneering course.

The pet behaviourist team at the Companion Care Veterinary surgery in Sprowston will be running courses for youngsters and their pet dogs to try to cut the risk of them being bitten or savaged by the animals.

If the Norwich courses prove successful, the vets hope they will be rolled out across the country.

The surgery, which is located inside the Pets At Home store at Sprowston Retail Park, is holding the course in response to growing concern over the increasing reports of children being bitten by dogs in the home.

Its leading behaviourist Kiran Brice, who came up with the idea for the education course, said: “We are seeing quite a lot of young dogs having puppies which are being put to sleep because they have nipped or bitten a child at home.

“These are not aggressive dogs but there have been situations where the child didn't know how to interact with the dog.”

Cases Mrs Brice has seen include one where a child had pushed its way into the bed of a bitch with some young puppies. The protective bitch growled and bit the child's face. She said: “It's been very clear that a lot of kids don't know how to be with dogs so we thought a course for children would be appropriate. I think the worst example I saw was where a girl had dressed the dog as a dolly and she was holding it by the back legs. That's why we called the course Dogs are not Dollies.”

The first course, which starts on November 1, is already fully booked up, but the surgery is planning to run more and hopes it will become a permanent fixture.

Mrs Brice, who has worked as a clinical pet behaviourist and counsellor for more than 10 years, said: “Evidence has shown that most dog bites involving children happen within the family home by their own pet. Tragically, this was the case last January when five-year-old Ellie Lawrenson was mauled to death by her uncle's pit bull terrier in her grandmother's home.”

Last year the Evening News reported how a six-year-old girl had had to have plastic surgery after being savagely attacked by an American bull dog.

Tyla Cole was treated at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital after the attack in Little Melton.

For more information on the course or to book a place call 01603 484359 or visit www.companioncare.co.uk/norwich

Do you know of a new course being piloted in Norwich? Contact reporter Kim Briscoe on 01603 772419 or e-mail kim.briscoe@archant.co.uk

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