Alarming numbers of UK children being bitten by family pets

Thousands of children seeking medical attention, figures show

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A startling new survey has revealed that one in five primary school children in the UK have been bitten by a pet - most often a dog with over half of those incidents resulting in a trip to the doctor.

The findings, published during this year's Child Safety Week (June 2-8), have prompted a coalition of eight of the UK's leading animal welfare charities to ramp up efforts to educate children and their families about safe behaviour around animals.

Operating under the Pet Education Partnership (PEP), organisations including the RSPCA, Dogs Trust, PDSA, Blue Cross, Cats Protection, Scottish SPCA, USPCA and Woodgreen Pets Charity are launching a series of webinars and school-based initiatives aimed at reducing the risk of bites.

The poll of more than 1,000 children aged seven to 11 revealed that 21 per cent had been bitten by a pet, with dogs responsible for nearly half (4.4 per cent) of the incidents. Of those bitten by a dog, six in ten (62 per cent) required medical attention.