Children are more vulnerable when it comes to dog attacks according to ER24, who responded to 103 attacks this year in the country.

In a statement from ER24 addressing this issue, Shannon McKay, chairperson of the Animal Behavior Consultants of SA, stated that children are more vulnerable to these attacks because of two reasons, size and knowledge.

McKay said, “A child’s smaller size and their more active body movements could simultaneously cause a dog to feel less concern for potential retaliation and their prey drive toward smaller animals could be triggered by a child’s erratic movements.”

She added that children are less skilled at interpreting a dog’s body language and are therefore less likely to avoid a potentially aggressive encounter. She advised parents and guardians not to allow unsupervised interaction between dogs and children.

McKay shared tips on how to reduce the possibility of dog attacks.

She shared the following information:

It is crucial for people to be aware of dogs moving into an uncomfortable, anxious or aggressive mindset.

Subtle signs such as tongue flicks, yawns, turning the head or body away or even walking away should not be ignored.

More intense signs such as the closing of the mouth, stiffening of the body, growling, staring or walking slowly toward the intended victim should not be taken lightly.

She added, “These signs are often ignored or not noticed for a period of time and then an attack appears to come out of the blue, yet it had been brewing for a long time.”

ER24 advised all pet owners to ensure their dogs are well socialised and trained from a young age and kept securely on their property.

People need to avoid approaching dogs they are unfamiliar with and should rather contact the relevant authorities to deal with stray dogs. They added that children must be educated and prepared on how to act around dogs that are both familiar and unfamiliar.

Details: If there is a dog-bite incident, contact ER24 on 084 124.