CHILDREN at schools in Renfrewshire are to benefit from free workshops about dog safety.

Headteachers have agreed to include the safety lessons in the school syllabus after the idea was mooted in the pages of The Gazette.

We told how Councillor Andy Doig, who represents Johnstone North, Kilbarchan, Howwood and Lochwinnoch as an Independent, lodged a motion which called on Renfrewshire Council to support such an educational programme.

READ MORE: Dog safety lessons could be introduced for kids in Renfrewshire

And he was delighted when the Dogs Trust charity got in touch to offer its backing.

Councillor Doig said: “Myself and Councillor Kenny MacLaren proposed a motion at the Communities, Housing and Planning Board, calling on council officers to examine the feasibility of involving national dog charities like the Dogs Trust to teach Renfrewshire kids about dog safety.

“The idea was positive in principle and received all party support to be taken forward.

“It was with great delight that I then received an email from Gemma Kelly, of the Glasgow Dogs Trust, who had read the article in The Gazette and wanted to take the initiative to help.

“I immediately sent her kind offer on to the convener of education, Councillor Jim Paterson, and the head of schools for their consideration.

“Both Councillor Paterson and the head of schools agreed the same day to take up their offer and it was confirmed that Renfrewshire headteachers will welcome the opportunity to engage with the Dogs Trust and incorporate it into the school syllabus, which was the whole purpose of my original motion.”

Councillor Doig said the workshops will help to keep children safe by teaching them to respect dogs.

“Despite the terrible publicity that comes from one badly-trained dog and even worse owner when a child is attacked, there are thousands of positive stories about the deep joy and companionship that dogs can bring families and children as part of their lives,” he added.

Gemma, an education and community officer for Dogs Trust, said staging workshops at local schools will provide children with important information on how to be behave safely and responsibly around dogs.

She added: “By helping young people learn about the responsibilities and commitment involved in dog ownership, we believe we can improve the welfare of dogs, both in the homes of the children we teach, as well as dogs they may meet when out and about.”

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