Dangerous Dogs - Safeguarding Children Practice Guidance

Introduction (August 2020)

This guidance has been developed to provide information to those who are working with children and families to provide guidance for when you visit a family that has a dog and how you may need to consider whether the dog poses any threat to a child's health, development or safety and to consider your own safety.

Dogs play an important place in society and are valued companions for many families, playing an important part of family life. Official figures for England in 2015 revealed that there were 7,227 admissions to hospital for dog attacks in the previous year. This represents a 76% increase in admissions to hospital in England over the past 10 years with children under 10 being the most likely to be admitted. Deaths from dog bites or attacks remain a rare occurrence. There has been, over the previous 10 years, a number of high-profile deaths attributable to dogs with at least 21 fatalities, of which 13 were children or babies.

The death of a child referred to in a Serious Case Review undertaken by Northampton Safeguarding Children Board identified the need for all staff who come into contact with children and families to be vigilant when working with families who may own or are in accommodation where dogs may be present.

This document should be read in conjunction with Darlington Safeguarding Partnership Child Protection Procedures [new window]

Aim of this guidance

The aim of this guidance is to protect children from the serious injuries that can be inflicted by dogs that are prohibited, dangerous or poorly managed.

The guidance sets out to explain and describe:

The children most likely to be vulnerable and the dogs most likely to be dangerous
The information that should be gathered when any child is injured by a dog and the criteria that should prompt a referral to Childrens Social Care
The basis for an effective assessment of risk and the options for action that could be considered by strategy groups or case conferences.

Dangerous Dogs

The Dangerous Dogs Act (1991) (amended with effect from 13 May 2014 by the Antisocial Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014) provides very detailed information on the legislation covering certain types of dogs, the responsibilities of owners and the actions that can be taken to remove and/or control dogs. As a result of the 2014 Act, it extends to private places, the offence of owning or being in charge of a dog that is dangerously out of control (previously in a public place); provides that a dog attack on an assistance dog constitutes an aggravated offence; and ensures that the courts can take account of the character of the owner of the dog, as well as of the dog, when assessing whether a dog should be destroyed on the grounds that it is a risk to the public.

In the UK, it’s against the law to own certain types of dog and if any agency has any knowledge or report of a dog of this type, the matter should be reported to the police immediately:

Pit Bull Terrier
Japanese Tosa
Dogo Argentino
Filo Braxiliero
Cross bred pitbulls
XL Bully dogs are banned in England and Wales

Any dog can be ‘dangerous’ (as defined by the Act) if it has already been known to inflict or threaten injury.

Injuries inflicted by certain types of dog are likely to be especially serious and damaging. Strong, powerful dogs such as Pit Bull types will often use their back jaws (as opposed to 'nipping') and powerful neck muscle to shake their victims violently as they grasp.

When reports of ‘prohibited’ dogs are known or potentially dangerous dogs are linked to the presence of children, all agencies should be alert to the possible risks and consequences.

The Dog and the Child: Family context

When you visit a family that has a dog you need to consider whether or not the dog poses any threat to the child’s health, development or safety.

All children are potentially vulnerable from attacks from dogs
Young and very small children are likely to be at greatest risk
A young child may be unaware and unprepared for the potential dangers they could face
A young child may less able to protect themselves and more likely to be of a size that leaves especially vulnerable parts of their body exposed to any 'assault'