Preventing people from being bitten by a dog is the number one priority of Tauranga City Council's animal services education coordinator Cheniel Powell.

Cheniel goes into both workplaces and schools to teach people how to avoid being bitten by a dog. Many people don't know how to behave around dogs, she says.

'They think it's okay to approach a dog they don't know and pat it, and that's how bites happen.”

Cheniel's work over the past 12 months has so far taken her mainly into workplaces – educating people such as meter readers, posties, midwives and others who have to have to go onto private properties that might have dogs.

'I teach them how to neutralise a situation with a dog, how to avoid confrontation and how to avoid being attacked by a dog.”

Working with schools is something the council is looking to develop further, including designing its own teaching resource for schools featuring an animated dog mascot.

'Once it gets underway I hope to take a real dog with me so kids can practice on a calm dog and develop their confidence,” says Cheniel.

The first piece of advice Cheniel gives to both adults and children is to stand still if approached by a dog. 'Stand still, don't move around. We tell children to ‘be like a tree'. The dog will eventually get bored and move away.”

The main message for children is not to pat a dog in the street. 'If you're walking down the street and see a dog on a lead with its owner, don't think it's safe to walk up to the dog and pat it. Ask the owner and if they say yes let the dog sniff your hand. Again, don't just pat the dog as the dog needs to give permission itself.”

Children are advised to then pat the dog on its chest, not the head.

'If you're walking down the street and see a dog that doesn't have an owner, don't approach it. Leave it alone,” says Cheniel.

Any schools that would like a presentation on how to stay safe around dogs can contact Cheniel on 07 577 7498.