Why Delta Dog Safe™

While a dog in the family is a wonderful source of companionship and fun, there are some very important messages about canine behaviour that are simply not being provided to dog owners, or parents of young children. It is estimated that each year, dogs bite more than 100 000 Australians with varying degrees of severity.

Approximately 16 000 seek treatment in the Accident and Emergency Departments of the nation’s public hospitals. In the financial year 2001 – 2002 more than 2 300 had injuries severe enough to warrant hospitalisation and reconstructive surgery. (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Dog Bite Statistics, inpatient admissions 2001 – 2002)

Most dog bites occur because neither adults nor children have been educated about appropriate behaviour around dogs.

It is in response to this problem that Delta Society Australia developed Delta Dog Safe™. The program promotes practical, proactive and dog – friendly ways in which local government, health professionals, educators and volunteers can work with school communities to educate children and their parents about safe and sensible behaviour and interaction with dogs.

While regulations for the control of dangerous or stray dogs and dogs in public places have been set in place to help reduce the incidence of dog bites, they are only marginally effective. This is because two out of every three bites involve the family, neighbour or friend’s pet dog “in the backyard” – with almost 50% of all serious bites occurring in children under ten years of age. Delta Dog Safe™ is a targeted community education program aimed at reducing the incidence of dog bite in young children.

Early intervention and education is the key to reducing the incidence of dog bite.

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