Slightly off topic but I was just wondering, where do Social Services stand on foster homes that have dogs? Of course, we all know that your dogs are perfectly fine with kids but, purely out of interest, just wondered where the Social Services stand on this and whether they have a list of certain breeds that are not suitable for foster homes. Presumably if a child were to be in a foster home and get seriously bitten by a dog, the SS would be responsible, ultimately. I'm in a bit of an inquisitive mood today

Not sure about that.. I think the general consensus is that , people have stated it would depend on the circumstances..


I think most would agree with this... you need to take into account the seriousness of the attack...

Your very right there, firstly I work for a agency that take either ''emergencies or behaviour issue children'' that the local authority carers either can not take or do not want to take because of the demanding behaviour.

My training (and pats of course) is to deal with the behaviour whether it be mental health or violent, as for the dogs, well it was insisted right from the start that the dogs were of a ''standard'' to meet with thier criteria on dogs and children.
First they had to be assessed by a animals behaviourist, who took notes on thier responses to thing, quick movements, (bearing in mind they are of herding breed) strange smells, taking of food from them, chews, putting hands into dishes whilst eating.
Thier reaction to being held both loosly and tightly, touching of teeth, feet, eyes, ears, back, tail etc.,
Then we had to take them to a place like dog borstal.... to assess our handling of them.
When we took Bruce 15 months ago I had to sign papers saying we had taken another dog, Bruce was assessed at 3 months (biting grips, playing, the picking up of etc) then again at 6 months, and again at 12 months, his next one will be 18 months.
Naturally if one of them bit, then investigations take place, the child is interviewed, we are, the dog (if not all) are re-assessed, now if they gave me the the order to PTS and I didn't then it is my own decision, but obviously if I kept that dog, then I would have to give up Fostering.

Hope that answers your question.

However if the attack was serious, then we'd be looking at a court case, brought up by Social Services....but then any dog attack can end up in a court case.

With cats they take a different stand....unless the cat flew into a freanzy, then there would be the same issues as a dog.

ps, as regards breeds, we have never been given a list, I know two carers that have SBT and Rotti's, but again they are really put through thier paces.

Thanks so much YS. That was really interesting reading. Seems the SS do take all the necessary precautions for children in their care. Your dogs must be absolutely marvellous to have got through all those assessments without a hitch You must be so proud of them. I certainly would be

Thanks again

I totally agree, I used to have 'a biter' of a cocker spaniel.
I had him before my first child was born and never considered getting rid of him let alone having him pts. He wasn't overly keen on the appearance of my son into his world either but he learned to live with it. With extra vigilance we managed with no major incidents at all. We did have a few minor ones but nothing that concerned me tbh. Strangely when my second son was born 8 years later Shannon the dog was completely devoted to him. My dog was my first baby too.

There the key...extra vigilance, one of the things that the assessments with my three thats always comes to light in my head, is that we can be guilty of being compliancent, often I come away from the assessments, with a feeling of doing that from time to time.
We get comfy in our zone of ''they are fine'' I know I have been guilty of that, and often when out and some stranger asks....can my child stroke them....I have to remind myself not to just say ''yea thier fine'' I have to remember to say ....I think they would like that, just put your hand out so they can ''''come to you'''''

It sounds like hard work but it actually became second nature to be always on the ball. I just developed different ways of doing things to other mums I guess. My dog was my baby too and he wasn't nasty but he suffered from rage syndrome (and that's not me making excuses for him). He wasn't an easy dog but he was mine and he was 100% my responsibility.

Cheeky Chihuahua - You are right in thinking that the rescue had my dog pts. I thought he would be re-homed with no kids but they obviously thought he was not suitable so thinking that they know what they're talking about i had to accept it (they did without telling me anyway, you effectively sign over ownership when they go to rescue)

You summed my thoughts up completely regarding anti kid people (you must be on my wavelength!- glad not everyones out to lynch me!)

Just for the record - my kids are dog savvy, and aware of what not to do etc my youngest was 5 when it happened - if my dog had bitten after being provoked it would have been a different thing.

Mmmm a cat scratching and a dog biting - don't think a cat is capable of mauling a child somehow....bit of a daft statement imo

I'll shut up now........

Yes, I've thought before that we seem to think alike on a few issues - nice to have some like-minded people on here, as I do seem to be light years away from some members on my thoughts on certain matters

Yup I know what you mean .........