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Toronto Animal Services |
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Children and dogs
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General information
Children should be taught:
- not to tease dogs
- to stay away from dogs that are chained or fenced in
- not to stick hands at dogs through fences or open car windows
- never to approach a strange dog
- not to bother any dog while it is eating or playing with its toys
- never to go near dogs that are fighting
Running children and bicycles are very exciting to a dog.
Children on bicycles, in-line skates and skateboards explore new places and come into contact with different sights, sounds, people and yes, animals.
Children should be taught:
- to walk, not run, past dogs that are not tied up or fenced in
- to get off their bicycle and walk past a dog, placing the bicycle between them and the dog
Children should know what an angry dog looks like. Warning signs include barking, growling, snarling with teeth showing, tail up, and hair standing up on the dog’s back.
If a dog looks angry, they should walk away slowly. They should turn sideways to the dog and shout "No!" as they slowly make their way out of the dog’s reach. Never stare a dog in the eyes or turn around and run away, and curl up in a ball and protect their face if the dog attacks.
If bitten, a child must tell an adult right away. If possible a child should remember what the biting dog looked like, if it had a collar and a tag, and what direction it went.
Wash the wound, see a doctor and report the bite to Toronto Animal Services.
For more information contact Toronto Animal Services at
416-338-PAWS(7297) or Toronto Health Connection at
416-338-7600.
This message is adapted from material supplied by the American Humane Association and is provided by the City of Toronto, Department of Public Health, Animal Services to promote responsible pet ownership.
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