The festive season should be a time of joy, yet, as highlighted by recent South Yorkshire Police statistics, it too often brings a spike in serious dog bite incidents.
Between 24–26 December alone, police received 15 calls for dog-related injuries or fear, with victims ranging from toddlers to elderly couples. These are not isolated cases – they’re a stark reminder that prevention, education, and respect for our canine companions are absolutely essential (South Yorkshire Police, 2025).
The Realities Behind Dog Bites
Dog bites are never random.
Overwhelming environments (think noisy gatherings, new toys, excitable children) can push even the most placid dog past their threshold. The festive period, with its chaos and disruption, is a known risk factor. As police reports show, bites occurred in homes, often involving family pets, and resulted in severe injuries requiring hospital treatment or even surgery (South Yorkshire Police, 2025).
Respecting Dogs: Why Choice and Consent Matter
Dogs are sentient beings, not property.
We co-habit with them, we do not own them (at least in the non-legal sense).
Like humans, dogs experience stress, anxiety, and fear, and when their signals are ignored, their only resource may be to defend themselves. Studies show a direct correlation between canine anxiety and aggressive behaviour (Casey et al., 2014; Tiira et al., 2016). Dogs denied agency or forced into uncomfortable situations are far more likely to react defensively.
Choice and consent (allowing dogs to opt in or out of interactions) are fundamental. This approach, rooted in science and ethics, reduces stress and builds trust.
As a Kids Around Dogs approved professional, I champion these principles in every interaction, and my children’s book, I Can Be A Dog Detective!, empowers young readers to recognise canine body language and respect boundaries.
Prevention: The Key to Safety
The heartbreaking cases from South Yorkshire show that prevention is everything.
Here’s how you can safeguard your family:
- Never leave children and dogs unattended.
- Provide safe spaces for dogs during gatherings.
- Educate children about canine signals – my book is a great starting point!
- Use barriers (like stair gates) as children become more mobile.
- Seek professional help if you notice changes in your dog’s behaviour – early intervention matters.
The Science: Anxiety, Aggression, and Agency
Research consistently links anxiety and a lack of control with increased aggression in dogs (Casey et al., 2014; Tiira et al., 2016).
Dogs who feel safe and respected are less likely to bite. By giving dogs choice, respecting their signals, and involving the whole family in education, we dramatically reduce risk.
Final Thoughts
We don’t own dogs.
Dogs are our extended family members, they are deserving of our respect, autonomy, and understanding.
Prevention isn’t about fear, it’s about empowerment. Dogs rely on compassionate care, not dominance-based training.
Let’s make our homes safer for everyone.
Ready to Safeguard Your Family and Empower Your Children?
Prevention starts with knowledge and respect. If you’re keen to help your children become true “Dog Detectives” – confident, compassionate, and safe around dogs – my children’s picture book, ‘I Can Be A Dog Detective!‘, is the perfect place to start. It’s packed with practical tips, colourful illustrations, and real-life scenarios that teach children (and grown-ups!) how to spot the signs that a dog needs space and how to interact safely and kindly.
As a Kids Around Dogs approved professional, I’m also here to support families, schools, and communities in building safer, happier relationships with dogs. Whether you’re looking for tailored advice, workshops, or resources, you’re welcome to reach out to me anytime!
Further Reading
I Can Be A Dog Detective! was a finalist at the 2021 Page Turner Awards, and has been a reliable and much-loved resource for various children nurseries around the world.
- I Can Be A Dog Detective! – Order your copy here today! and take the first step towards a safer, more harmonious home.
- Kids Around Dogs – want to learn more or book a family safety session? Get in touch with me directly today!
- Dog’s Trust and Blue Cross – for some amazing, free resources why not check out Dog’s Trust website here and Blue Cross here.
References
Casey, R.A., Loftus, B., Bolster, C., Richards, G.J. and Blackwell, E.J. (2014) ‘Human directed aggression in domestic dogs (Canis familiaris): Occurrence in different contexts and risk factors’, Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 152, pp. 52-63.
South Yorkshire Police (2025) ‘CHRISTMAS: Children, the elderly and adults bitten by dogs over Christmas period’, Facebook, 28 December. Available at: https://www.facebook.com/SouthYorkshirePolice/posts/ (Accessed: 29 December 2025).
Tiira, K., Sulkama, S. and Lohi, H. (2016) ‘Prevalence, comorbidity, and behavioural variation in canine anxiety’, Scientific Reports, 6, 1-8.
