Few schools use dog safety lesson

Animal education officers are disappointed at the low number of Christchurch schools using a free dog-bite prevention lesson.

Christchurch City Council animal control education co-ordinator Jim Stokes said 50 schools had been approached with the offer of the dog-safety presentation, but only 20 had welcomed the educators.

Stokes said requests often increased slightly after incidents such as the Jellie Park mauling of two- year-old Aotea Coxon at the weekend.

"It's absolutely disappointing," Stokes said. "It's free – dog registration fees pay for it – and the kids go home with a great message."

Stokes said two people a day were bitten or rushed at by a dog in Christchurch. MORE>>

2 people a day compared to how many children get beaten up by a family member?!?

Only 20 out of 50 schools accepted. Now this would be a great opportunity of asking why? I'd hate to wonder why?

It's something like drug education, isn't it? I mean, every one seems to think it's a terrible problem, but when the city council and the police have a drug meeting, only a handful come along.

So perhaps we should look at why these types of messages aren't successful...