The Times Australia
The Times Magazine

.
Men's Weekly

.

RSPCA QLD launches ‘Prevent-a-Bite’ Dog Safety Campaign


With research revealing 1,200 Queensland children each year present at a hospital emergency department due to a dog bite and 81 per cent of dog bites occur in the child’s home, RSPCA Queensland is launching the ‘Prevent-a-Bite’ program, focused on teaching kids the top tips needed when approaching dogs.

Designed to promote positive interaction between dogs and young children aged 3 – 7 the ‘Prevent-a-Bite' initiative brings the RSPCA's established school-based education program directly into family homes through an exciting collaboration between RSPCA and qualified teachers and popular children's entertainers, Pevan & Sarah. Known for their fun and educational music performances, Pevan & Sarah created the catchy ‘Wag Your Tail’ song which includes a memorable acronym using the letters of tail to teach children how to safely interact with dogs.

“Our goal was to translate vital safety information into a fun, engaging song that resonates with children. From reminding kids to touch dogs gently and avoid approaching them if they are sleeping or eating, we worked closely with RSPCA to refine the content and translate vital safety information into a fun, engaging song. ‘Wag Your Tail’ breaks down complex concepts into simpler, bite-sized pieces,” explained Sarah Kechayas of Pevan & Sarah.

Kirsty Nalvarte, Head of Animal Services at RSPCA Queensland, explained dog attacks usually occur due to fear on the dog’s part and educating parents and children on how to interact with dogs in a low-risk manner was critical.

“A successful human-animal bond doesn’t typically occur automatically. To effectively reduce the risk of dog bites in the home we need to change behaviour. The T.A.I.L acronym helps children understand how to approach a pet dog, so if kids remember any takeaway, the acronym will help them recall the four main points,” said Nalvarte.

The acronym covers the following four tips:

§  T: touch them gently, on their side is best

§  A: avoid touching if they’re eating or at rest

§  I: imagine how they’re feeling, are they happy, or are they scared?

§  L: love them with respect and show them that you care

“Every dog has the potential to bite, and it’s important for families to learn to understand their dog’s body language and recognise when they’re feeling frightened or uncomfortable. Hugging, kissing, sitting on dogs, pulling tails, and getting close to a dog’s food can all trigger dogs to react. It's important for children to learn from an early age how to interact safely and respectfully with dogs, whether at home or in public settings. The tips explained in ‘Wag Your Tail’ apply to any situation where kids might interact with a dog. Our aim is to educate and change behaviours,” said Nalvarte.

To officially launch the program, it made sense for little animal lovers to be involved and what better way than to have them learn and boogie at the same time! The prep students of Moorooka State School were visited by Pevan & Sarah on the morning of Tuesday, 15 October. After learning the ‘Wag Your Tail’ dance in the weeks prior, students had the chance to show off their learned routine to all attending.

‘Wag Your Tail’ and more information about the RSPCA QLD ‘Prevent-a-Bite’ program can be found here.

Times Magazine

Effective Commercial Pest Control Solutions for a Safer Workplace

Keeping a workplace clean, safe, and free from pests is essential for maintaining productivity, protecting employee health, and upholding a company's reputation. Pests pose health risks, can cause structural damage, and can lead to serious legal an...

The Science Behind Reverse Osmosis and Why It Matters

What is reverse osmosis? Reverse osmosis (RO) is a water purification process that removes contaminants by forcing water through a semi-permeable membrane. This membrane allows only water molecules to pass through while blocking impurities such as...

Foodbank Queensland celebrates local hero for National Volunteer Week

Stephen Carey is a bit bananas.   He splits his time between his insurance broker business, caring for his young family, and volunteering for Foodbank Queensland one day a week. He’s even run the Bridge to Brisbane in a banana suit to raise mon...

Senior of the Year Nominations Open

The Allan Labor Government is encouraging all Victorians to recognise the valuable contributions of older members of our community by nominating them for the 2025 Victorian Senior of the Year Awards.  Minister for Ageing Ingrid Stitt today annou...

CNC Machining Meets Stage Design - Black Swan State Theatre Company & Tommotek

When artistry meets precision engineering, incredible things happen. That’s exactly what unfolded when Tommotek worked alongside the Black Swan State Theatre Company on several of their innovative stage productions. With tight deadlines and intrica...

Uniden Baby Video Monitor Review

Uniden has released another award-winning product as part of their ‘Baby Watch’ series. The BW4501 Baby Monitor is an easy to use camera for keeping eyes and ears on your little one. The camera is easy to set up and can be mounted to the wall or a...

The Times Features

Running Across Australia: What Really Holds the Body Together?

How William Goodge’s 3,800km run reveals the connection between movement, mindset, and mental resilience As a business owner, I’ve come to realise that the biggest wins rarely com...

Telehealth is Transforming Healthcare Services in Australia

It has traditionally not been easy to access timely healthcare in Australia, particularly for people who live in remote areas. Many of them spend hours on the road just to see a...

Launchd Acquires Huume, Strengthening Creative Firepower Across Talent-Led Marketing

Launchd, a leader in talent, technology and brand partnerships, has announced its acquisition of influencer talent management agency Huume from IZEA. The move comes as the medi...

Vietnam's "Gold Coast" Emerges as Extraordinary Investment Frontier and Australian Inspired Way of Life

$2 Billion super-city in Vung Tau set to replicate Australia's Gold Coast success story A culturally metamorphic development aptly named "Gold Coast" is set to reshape Vietna...

Choosing the Wrong Agent Is the #1 Regret Among Aussie Property Sellers

Selling your home is often one of the largest financial transactions you’ll make, and for many Australians, it’s also one of the most emotional. A new survey of Australian home se...

Travel Insurance for Families: What Does it Cover and Why it’s Essential

Planning a family trip is exciting, but unexpected mishaps can turn your dream vacation into a stressful ordeal. That’s where travel insurance comes in—it’s your safety net when ...