Camden-born Emily Middleton’s mission to lower dog bites among children

A vicious bite from a terrified dog was the catalyst behind a woman’s mission to lower incidents of dog bites by educating the region’s young animal lovers.

A vicious bite from a terrified dog was the catalyst behind a Camden business which focuses on educating the region’s young animal lovers and lowering incidents of dog bites.

As a four year old, Emily Middleton was eager to say hello to every dog she met. One day, she got too close to a terrified Maltese and ended up being bitten on her face.

She still has the scars 23 years later but the incident did not scare her off dogs completely. Instead, it became the spark which prompted a business idea.

“I wasn’t able to see any of the signs when (the Maltese) was saying they didn’t want to get close to me,” she said.

“The dog bit me on the face and I was rushed to hospital. I ended up with stitches in my face and had to have a couple weeks off school.

Left: Emily Middleton after was bitten by a dog when she was four. Right: Now, Ms Middleton she has created a business to try and help kids interact with animals.

“I know how important it is for parents and kids to know how to be around and approach dogs, and I don’t think my parents knew.”

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, bite rates are highest in children under the age of five, with 1027 dog bites reported in the first three months of 2022 in NSW alone.

Ms Middleton said despite the terrifying incident, she still loved dogs and decided to pursue a career working with them.

Now living in the Illawarra, Ms Middleton started her business Pawz and Me out of Camden when she was 21. It initially provides services spanning from training, walking, pet sitting and daycare, but her experience with the dog bite inspired a new venture.

Recently, Ms Middleton launched their in-school dog safety education program for primary schools and early education centres.

“When Covid hit, and many people got pets, we had a huge business boom. I noticed a gap in people with dogs and not knowing how to handle them properly, with many little mistakes that could lead to something worse,” she said.

“One of the most common errors is encouraging kids to put their hands out for a dog, which is wrong and the sort of thing that led me to being bit.

“Our program is designed to teach children about dog handling, care, and health in a fun and interactive way.”

Ms Middleton said the program, which they have held at Bambinos Kindergarten Harrington Park with other schools booked in, includes how to approach a new dog for the first time, safe ways to interact with a dog, what foods dogs can and can’t eat, and how to spot a happy or unhappy dog.

After the presentation, students are invited to interact with the “Dog of the Day” and ask handlers any questions.