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New guidance aims to reduce dog bites to children
Ninety-one per cent of bite injuries to children under the age of 14 years are caused by a dog known to the child.
Dogs Trust says supervision of children and dogs essential in preventing incidents.

Ahead of the school holidays, Dogs Trust has issued new guidance to help reduce the number of dog bites to children. The charity says that close supervision is essential in preventing many incidents from occurring.

Research shows that 91 per cent of bite injuries to children under the age of 14 years are caused by a dog known to the child. But new statistics released by Dogs Trust show that 84 per cent of parents leave their children unsupervised with dogs in their home.

Research also shows that dog bites in the home are often preceded by interactions such as children cuddling, hugging, brushing or kissing the dog.

Dogs Trust new guidance is aimed at busy parents and caregivers and advises following the Three S’s whenever dogs and children are together:
  1. Stay close - Watch, listen, and remain close during child-dog interactions
  2. Step in -  Intervene when either the child or dog looks uncomfortable or acts in an unsafe way
  3. Separate -  Separate the child and dog if you are likely to be preoccupied or distracted, like using a physical barrier such as a baby gate
According to results from a YouGov survey, 52 per cent of parents rely on basic obedience training to keep children safe around dogs, rather than separating. Only a quarter of those asked would put children and dogs in separate rooms. Twenty-nine per cent use a stairgate to separate dogs from children.

Owen Sharp, chief executive at Dogs Trust, said: “Around a third of all UK households now own a dog, and most dogs live harmoniously with children without incident. But with the majority of bites happening within the home, it’s important that parents and caregivers take steps to make sure children are always supervised around dogs, even those dogs that they know very well. 

“Basic training of dogs is not enough; close supervision of children and dogs while interacting is the most effective way of preventing incidents. 

“Unfortunately, when the worst does happen, not only are children injured, but it can also have a devastating impact on the family pet, with some dogs handed over to organisations like ours for rehoming, or in some cases, euthanised.”

Dogs Trust guidance is accompanied by a short video, and the charity is also offering a free virtual masterclass to parents and caregivers. The masterclass offers tips on implementing the Three S’s and how to spot the signs of worry in a dog that can easily be missed.

Image (C) Dogs Trust

 

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."