A pilot education programme to teach children about safety around dogs led the Waitaki District Council Animal Management team back to school on Wednesday (February 28).

Animal control officer Sheridan Newson, accompanied by her dog Milo, visited all of the classes at Te Pākihi o Maru School to talk about safety around dogs.

There are about 5,000 registered dogs in the Waitaki, and animal control officers are often called out to deal with loose animals, or those behaving aggressively or barking.

The purpose of the programme is to make sure children know what to do if they encounter a loose animal, and learn a little more about their own pets at home.

“It’s great to be able to help kids keep safe around dogs,” Sheridan said. 

“A lot of the students had dogs at home, but learned about how to safely approach and pat a dog, and how to tell if a dog wants to be left alone.”

The students all got a chance to stroke Milo, chin to chest, watch her chase after bubbles, and were also given a dog behaviour activity sheet, and poster showing what different dog behaviour means.