Toddler Attacked By Dog At Childcare Centre

A mum has shared her horror after her three-year-old daughter was attacked by a dog while in the playground of her childcare centre.

A Melbourne mum has spoken out about the growing danger of dog attacks on children after her three-year-old daughter, Daphne, was scratched and bitten by a dog while in the grounds of her childcare centre.

Daphne was sitting with other children on the lawn of the Abbotsford Convent early learning centre when a dog walker passed, calling out “doggie, doggie” to the children, encouraging them to pat them.

A Split Second

The woman was walking two dogs on the publicly accessible lawn, one which resembled a Staffordshire Bull Terrier and the other which was large and wiry-haired.

“The children weren’t trying to play with the dog or trying to pat the dog or anything,” Denise said. “The dog walker just walked straight up to children before anyone could stop her. I understand that accidents can happen with dogs, but this could have been avoided.”

Before the teachers, who were supervising the children, realised what was happening, the smaller dog scratched Daphne numerous times and bit her near her mouth.

“It could have been a lot worse and thankfully the dog didn’t attack her eyes or her lips,” Denise said. “I don’t think it would have happened if the owner had been walking the dog or if someone with training was walking the dog.”

Easily Avoidable

Denise highlighted the growing risk of dog attacks as a result of a booming dog walking industry, with many employees untrained people who are unfamiliar with the dogs they are looking after.

“My thinking is that because dog walking is probably one of the easiest jobs you can get, the dog walker wanted to make money but didn’t necessarily know what she was doing,” she said.

It seems that experts agree, with Tasmin MacLennan, owner of Paws Outdoors, frustrated by the lack of education and training many dog walkers have.

“The consequences can be dire – not just for children, but also members of the general public and other dogs,” she warned.

“Certified handlers such as myself would not put dogs in any social situation where other people or dogs are at risk.”

Thankfully, Daphne has recovered from her injuries with no permanent damage but her story is a reminder of just how unpredictable animals can be with young children if not supervised properly.

Has your child been injured by a pet? Share your story in the comments.

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20 Comments

- - Krystal said
  - 07 Sep 2019
    9:51 am
The poor little child. I’m at a loss as to why this has happened at a child care centre.

- - mrsnaomiwalton@gmail.com said
  - 04 Sep 2019
    3:53 pm
Usually childcare centres are fenced in, unless they were on a park excursion or something. How did the person even walk up the children? So glad she’s ok!

- - BellaB said
  - 01 Sep 2019
    5:20 pm
I rather hope there were consequences for the dog walker.

- - neat22 said
  - 12 Aug 2019
    7:31 pm
Poor girl. The owner with two dogs was not in a position to be approaching kids at daycare with her animals. They could be allergic, have fears, and get injured!

- - becstalou said
  - 08 Aug 2019
    3:23 pm
This is awful luckily we’ve never experienced injuries from pets but people definitely need to be more responsible when in charge of any animal.

- - ashna9 said
  - 24 Jul 2019
    8:01 pm
I often have dogs chase me when I’m walking my dog. They never have a lead on.

- - rachelvk said
  - 24 Jul 2019
    12:22 pm
This is terrifying – poor little one.

- - nadine_hill said
  - 24 Jul 2019
    10:53 am
Dogs should not be allowed on school property, the grounds should be fenced off. Poor girl, hope it hasn’t scared her of dogs now!
- mom93821 replied
  
  27 Jul 2019 , 6:30 am
  Fencing, dogs on leads and fines for people that do not comply with laws around dogs being on leads.
- - DaffyD said
  - 24 Jul 2019
    9:51 am
Dogs scare me I was attacked as a kid and won’t let my 2 anywhere near them

- - mom93821 said
  - 24 Jul 2019
    5:34 am
No injuries – great care and respect taken around all animals.

- - Ellen said
  - 24 Jul 2019
    3:04 am
Yes, my son was attacked by a dog when he was 2,5 nearly 3yrs old. It created a fear for dogs that lasted many many years.
I myself have some negative experience as well years ago with the dog of a house mate. The dog turned nasty against me and we even went to dog therapy together. When this dog also attacked a child, it was put down.

- - mom129591 said
  - 23 Jul 2019
    11:48 pm
No, but I was bitten by the next door neighbours dog. It was not nice. I had a fear of dogs after that when I was younger.

- - Blossom said
  - 23 Jul 2019
    9:04 pm
The playground of the Childcare Centre should be securely fenced and the only entry or exit should be from the childcare building. It should not be accessible to the general public at all

- - nealsq said
  - 23 Jul 2019
    8:33 pm
having a stranger approach the children is just as scary, with or without the dogs. I hope the little one recovers quickly!

- - skbou said
  - 23 Jul 2019
    7:25 pm
Some truly scary possibilities waiting to happen. I love dogs but there a some dogs that definitely do not love us.

- - mom90758 said
  - 23 Jul 2019
    6:39 pm
I don’t understand why the woman went towards the children. Not all kids want to stay around a dog. She made a very questionable decision.
Poor girl. I hope she won’t be scared of all dogs now.

- - AmbieBambi said
  - 23 Jul 2019
    5:01 pm
Dogs like that are horrible.

- - mom206279 said
  - 23 Jul 2019
    3:22 pm
I get so annoyed at the parents who bring their huge dogs to school pick up and wait with them outside the buildings. When the bell goes over 1000 kids descend running and screaming all over the place. Thats an overwhelming environment for me. How much stress does a dog feel? As they said. It only takes a second and its usually a dog that has never shown aggression before. Its just not worth the risk.

- - mom152736 said
  - 23 Jul 2019
    2:51 pm
oh no!! poor child! I’d go mad if that had happened to my kid! I’m myself so scared of dogs