Three Things to Know
While dog safety education has primarily targeted children, a crucial perspective has been largely absent: that of parents. A New Zealand study addressed this gap by exploring the views of indigenous Māori and non-Māori caregivers on dogs and their influence on children.
The findings revealed similar views across both groups, with caregivers highly valuing dogs as family members. Notably, dog owners were significantly more likely than non-owners to believe in the importance of children interacting with dogs.
However, caregivers reported a high incidence of physical injuries (bites, knockdowns), emotional trauma, and near misses involving children and both off-leash dogs in public areas and neighboring dogs on private property. Participants frequently expressed frustration regarding dog owners’ failure to acknowledge risks or take responsibility for incidents.
For Dog Welfare Practitioners
With dog bites posing a persistent and escalating threat to children, particularly highlighted by a pandemic-driven increase, dog welfare organizations and humane societies often bear the responsibility of implementing prevention education, such as youth programs. To develop truly comprehensive programs, these organizations must prioritize understanding the perspectives of parents and caregivers.
The findings of this study underscore the critical need for dog safety education to encompass dog owners, children, and parents/caregivers alike. Dog welfare organizations should ensure owners are educated on their responsibilities, while children require thorough and repeated training to react safely when startled. Furthermore, prevention efforts should extend beyond bites to address other common scenarios, such as dogs jumping on children and dogs reacting to children on bicycles.
The Full Picture
While dogs are valued companions, they also pose a significant risk of injury to children. Injuries can be physical (bites, trauma from being knocked over) or emotional, even without physical contact. Studies from New Zealand and Australia show these injuries are more common in socioeconomically deprived areas and among Indigenous populations.
Despite progress in other areas of child injury prevention through legislation and environmental changes, efforts to prevent dog-related injuries have mostly focused on child education, which has uncertain effectiveness. This study, titled “Caregiver Perspectives on the Value of Dogs and Their Effects on Children in Private and Public Spaces”, aims to explore Māori and non-Māori caregivers’ perspectives on dogs and their impact on children in both public and private spaces, to inform effective harm prevention strategies.
Study Methods
This study explored caregiver views on dogs and child safety in New Zealand using a national online survey, focus groups, and individual interviews. The online survey featured 13 closed and 7 open-ended questions and was shared through national child health and education networks.
Focus groups were held in Auckland and Kaikohe to represent urban and rural settings. Participants were caregivers of children under 10 years. Key topics included the value of dogs in families and communities, perceived safety around dogs, incidents of harm (including emotional harm or near misses), and the role of education in prevention.
Study Results
A total of 256 caregivers completed the national online survey, mostly female (97%), aged 31–40, and 18% identified as Māori. Twelve caregivers (including 4 Māori) took part in three focus groups and two interviews, conducted via Zoom due to COVID-19.
Value of Dogs
Most survey respondents (68%) were dog owners, citing companionship or dogs being part of the family as the main reasons for ownership. Māori and non-Māori participants shared similar attitudes about the value of dogs, with dog ownership rates and beliefs about the benefits of dogs for children (e.g., teaching empathy, providing support) being largely consistent. Dog owners were more likely to believe it is important for children to be around dogs.
Participants’ Views on Incidents, Attitudes and Solutions
Participants reported 233 incidents of harm or intimidation involving children and dogs, including physical injuries (bites, knockdowns), emotional trauma, and near misses. Most incidents (83%) involved dogs owned by friends, neighbors, or extended family rather than the respondent’s own dogs. Many caregivers took safety precautions at home, but described difficulties protecting their children when visiting others. Several felt pressured into unsafe situations due to others’ lack of concern.
Both Māori and non-Māori participants shared serious and sometimes traumatic experiences, reinforcing the need for better awareness and prevention.
Public Spaces
Many caregivers felt less safe in public spaces, with 100 incidents described involving unleashed or roaming dogs. Common issues included:
- Dogs knocking children over or jumping on them
- Dogs growling, charging, or acting aggressively
- Dogs disrupting play (e.g., going down slides, urinating on sandcastles)
- Near misses, particularly involving infants in prams or children on bikes
- Roaming and stray dogs were a greater concern in lower socioeconomic areas
Most public space incidents were linked to off-leash or roaming dogs in commonly used areas like parks, schools, and sidewalks. Participants described adjusting their routines (e.g., avoiding certain parks or walking with a stick) to avoid encounters with unsafe dogs. Many expressed frustration at irresponsible owners who dismissed concerns or ignored leash laws, and emphasized that owners often failed to consider how intimidating their dogs could be to children.
Private Spaces
Nearly half of participants (48%) described situations where children felt unsafe around dogs in private spaces. Of these:
- 26% involved attacks, bites, or scratches,
- 23% involved being knocked over or chased,
- 26% involved aggressive behavior like barking,
- 17% involved general fear or apprehension,
- 6% involved roaming dogs entering their property.
Private space incidents often involved visiting homes with dogs or neighboring dogs entering properties. Many victims had little or no relationship to the dog, underscoring the need to account for visitor safety.
Cause Attribution
Participants frequently expressed frustration that dog owners failed to acknowledge risks or take responsibility when incidents occurred. There was a recurring pattern of children being blamed, especially by owners who valued their dogs highly. This caused tension in relationships and contributed to feelings of helplessness among caregivers. Few incidents were attributed to children provoking dogs. Instead, owners’ negligence or denial of risk was seen as the core issue. Some participants pointed out a reluctance to recognize dog aggression, instead blaming poor ownership or training.
Reporting incidents can be challenging in close-knit communities, and economic constraints (e.g. rental housing restrictions, lack of fencing) hinder injury prevention. There is also a need for Indigenous-led strategies to address inequities in dog-related harm prevention. Suggestions included anonymous reporting systems and recognizing barriers like the cost of fencing or lack of time.
Public health strategies should consider policy changes—such as enforcing leash/muzzle laws and responsible breeding practices—to address root causes. Health professionals and veterinarians may also play a greater role in reporting risks.
Views on Education
Most survey respondents strongly supported education for:
- Dog owners (93%),
- Children (84%),
- Caregivers (76%).
Child-focused education (e.g., how to behave around dogs) was considered useful, though some noted its limited effectiveness with very young children or in sudden attacks. Instead, a shift toward educating dog-owners, promoting collective responsibility, and ensuring safe environments through supervision and physical barriers is recommended. Many participants felt that stronger enforcement would be more impactful.
Conclusion
This study explored the impact of dogs on children in public and private spaces in New Zealand, revealing significant physical and emotional harm caused by dogs, often without provocation. Unlike prior studies that focused mainly on bites, this research emphasized the fear and trauma caused by behaviors such as barking, chasing, and being knocked over. Many incidents involved dogs invading children’s space unexpectedly, challenging assumptions that such events result from children provoking dogs.
Effective injury prevention requires a proactive, system-level approach that includes changes in owner behavior, better environmental safeguards, and cultural sensitivity, rather than relying solely on child or dog behavior.
Miscellaneous
Data From Study:
Owned Dogs > Offering Better Care > Statistics on Dog Bites
Year of Publication:
2025
External Link:
Natasha Duncan-Sutherland, Mareta Hunt, Michael Shepherd, Bridget Kool, Caregiver perspectives on the value of dogs and their effects on children in private and public spaces, Journal of Veterinary Behavior, Volume 78, 2025, Pages 36-44, ISSN 1558-7878, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2025.01.002