Assessment of Pets

It should be borne in mind that all dogs have the potential to be dangerous and that children can provoke attacks from dogs. Foster carers must be able to supervise both the child and dog to prevent dangerous situations arising.

Other animals may be kept by foster carers and these will be considered on an individual basis during the assessment.

Legislation Relating to Dangerous Dogs

The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (as amended) provides detailed information about the legislation covering certain types of dogs, sets out the responsibilities of the owners and described the actions that can be taken to remove and/or control dogs:

• Certain dogs are 'prohibited' and if any Agency has any knowledge or report of a dog of this type, the matter should be reported to the Police immediately;
• Any dog can be 'dangerous' (as defined by the Act) if it has already been known to inflict or threaten injury;
• In the UK, it is against the law to own a pit bull terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Braileiro or XL Bully;
• Injuries inflicted by certain types of dog are likely to be especially serious and damaging. Strong, powerful dogs such as Pit Bull Types will often use their back jaws (as opposed to 'nipping') and powerful neck muscle to shake their victims violently as they grasp;
• When reports of 'prohibited' dogs and known or potentially dangerous dogs are linked to the presence of children, all agencies should be alert to the possible risks to children and potential consequences.

The offence of owning or being in charge of a dog that is dangerously out of control applies to public places and to private places such as foster homes.

Assessing Risks to Children and Young People

When a practitioner from any Agency undertakes a home visit and there are both children and dogs in the household, the practitioner should routinely consider whether the presence of the dog/s presents any kind of risk to the welfare of the child/ren. This should involve a discussion with the foster carer or the pet owner about the dog's behaviour. This is particularly important when there is a new baby in the household. The pet owner/foster carer should be asked whether the dog's behaviour has changed since the baby was brought home. This assessment of risk should be repeated when the baby begins to become mobile.

There will be times when even the most well cared for dog behaves in a way that had not been expected. The care, control and context of a dog's environment will impact on the dog's behaviour and the potential risks it may pose. Research indicates that neutered or spayed dogs are less likely to be territorial and aggressive towards other dogs and people. Dogs that are kept and/or bred for the purpose of fighting, defending or threatening others are likely to present more risks than genuine pets.

All children are potentially vulnerable from an attack by a dog, but very young children are likely to be at greatest risk. A young child will be unaware of the potential dangers they could face and will be less able to protect themselves. Small children are of a size that leaves especially vulnerable parts of their body exposed. The question should be asked: 'is the dog left alone with the child?' This applies even if the child is in a cot, bed or seat of some kind.

Remember, if a practitioner has reason to believe that a dog in the household is prohibited or presents a risk to a child, the Police or Children's Services should be contacted immediately.

Advice might be sought from a veterinary professional to help determine the likely nature or level of risk presented by the dog(s). As with all other assessments 'the welfare of the child is paramount.'

Significant Issues

The RSPCA offer the following advice to all professionals who are in contact with a household where there is a dog/s present:

"When looking at, or asking about a dog think about the following points, which should not be considered an exhaustive list but are intended to prompt a professional's curiosity as to the state of the dog's welfare along with suggested courses of action."

"The points relate to Section 9 of the Animal Welfare Act, 2006 which imposes a duty of care on a person who is permanently or temporarily responsible for an animal. This duty of care requires that reasonable steps in all the circumstance are taken to ensure that the welfare needs of an animal are met to the extent required by good practice. The welfare needs are:

• The need for a suitable environment;
• The need for a suitable diet;
• The need to be able to exhibit normal behaviour patterns;
• The need it has to be housed with, or apart from, other animals;
• The need to be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease.

During the visit ask if there is a dog in the property including the back garden.

Ask to see the dog and child interact.

See also: Further Information.

The Dangerous Wild Animal Act 1976 (as amended) ensures wild animals are kept in a way that does not endanger the public.

Some animals are prohibited from being kept in the UK. Foster carers should seek advice from the RSPCA before considering an exotic pet.

The following issues need to be considered as part of the risk assessment along with the points in Section 2, Key Risk Assessment Issues above:

• Environment - many exotic pets need a carefully controlled environment such as specialist lighting and heating. The environment also needs to be secure to stop the pet escaping. With a snakes and other reptiles a specialist enclosure with toughened glass should be in place;
• The enclosure should be big enough for the pet as it grows;
• Would the animal pose any risks to the child or young person if the pet escaped or was handled by the child/young person e.g. possible strangulation?
• Could a snake overpower a child or adult due to its size?
• Health and safety concerns also need to be looked at with a snake and other reptiles. Risks such as Salmonella, Botulism and other infections can be caused by handling reptiles. Foster carers with children under the age of 5, people with a weakened immune system, pregnant women or adults over the age of 65 should consider carefully whether a reptile is the right pet for the household and be aware of the potential risks of Salmonella infection before bringing a reptile into their home.

N.B. Even if the child does not handle the reptile, Salmonella can be passed on via handling so good hand hygiene is important.

See also: Further Information.

The assessment will consider all of the considerations in Section 2, Key Risk Assessment Issues along with what impact the breeding of animals would have on the placement. This assessment should link into the health and safety section of buildings and premises.