Volunteers wanted for project to prevent children from being bitten by pets
PSYCHOLOGISTS in Lincoln are asking families to be part of a project to prevent children from being bitten by their own pets.
Dr Kerstin Meints and Dr Nelly Lakestani from the University of Lincoln are looking for 200 families with young children and pets to sign up to the scheme.
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Using the Blue Dog CD-Rom, it is an interactive programme teaching youngsters under six-years-old how to stay safe around their pooches.
Dr Lakestani has a background in animal welfare and behaviour and has been researching dog bites for the past seven years.
"The biggest problem is not the very serious injuries you hear about on the news, it's children getting relatively minor bites from their pet dog at home," she said.
"Most of these accidents happen because there is a misunderstanding between the dog and the child and children under six are the most at risk of being bitten, which means we need to teach them early on about how to interact with dogs," she added.
Child safety is paramount in the duo's research along with the welfare of the animals.
Children taking part in the project will be tested before they see the CD-Rom, which has safe and unsafe options for them to choose, and then several times after, throughout the period of a year.
Effectiveness will be monitored through whether children are picking more of the correct options by the end of the year. And parents will be asked to make short film clips of how their children interact with the family dog.
Inspector Andy Bostock from the RSPCA said if the CD-Rom was successful, it could be a positive step in educating children.
"The RPSCA does receive quite a significant number of complaints in relation to young children mistreating the family dog," he said.
"On occasion it can result in injuries for the animal such as broken bones, especially in puppies and kittens.
"I will be interested to see the outcome of the study."
Sara Eldrett who runs the Lincolnshire Dog School in Till Bridge Lane, said: "A lot of people do not realise that when a child starts to walk, they start grabbing things and they don't quite understand how scary that can be from the dog's point of view.
"Children and dogs can be fantastic together but it's all about the correct way of handling the dog."
For more information or to volunteer to take part visit www.lincoln.ac.uk/psychology/blue_dog.htm
4 Comments
by Mr Sneer, Derision on the Wold
Friday, July 23 2010, 9:26AM
“You people seem to have forgotten that half the population are, by definition, of below average intelligence.”
by Nick, Lincoln
Thursday, July 22 2010, 5:06PM
“Psycologists are the biggest waste of air on this planet. Phil & D. are right. Common sense dictates you do not need a CD-ROM to tell your kids how to respect all animals. What a load of rubbish!”
by Phil, Lincoln
Thursday, July 22 2010, 12:34PM
“They should have studied my grandson when he was a baby. He spent most days with his Nanna as his mum went back to work. Nanna had a Staffy X. From when Jake first crawled if he went out of sight a quick look in the dog basket would find him and the dog curled up together. Then when he learnt how to get up onto the settee they would be curled up together there, the dog always on the edge preventing Jake from falling off.
He's always been taught that when he is out that if he wants to say hello to another dog he must ask the owner if its OK first. Then he approaches the dog with his hand open and lets it sniiff first. This way, like me, he has never been bitten.
At the end of the day it comes down to trust and what signals the dog picks up from the child. If people have children they should be taught to treat animals in the right way wether or not there are animals in the home from a young age. If a child is treating an animal in such a way as the animal gets a broken leg or any other injury then the parents need to have a good look at their parenting skills as it seems to me that they are raising a nasty little monster. Unfortunately when the child does get bitten its always the poor animal that gets branded as the monster and the poor little child is so innocent.”
by D, Lincoln
Thursday, July 22 2010, 9:23AM
“What a pointless study! Dont leave a child unattended with a dog, simple! Surely a psychologist doesnt need to 'study' that, its common sense!”