The NSW Education Department and SafeWork NSW are making inquiries into an incident that occurred at a public primary school in the Shoalhaven area where a child was bitten by a School Support Dog.
ARN News has been advised the Year-One child was bitten at the Sanctuary Point Public School on Thursday 24 August 2023.
A spokesperson for the NSW Department of Education said, “The Labradoodle, or cobber breed, had been attending the school to provide companionship and support to students.”
“The safety of our students is our highest priority, and the dog has been permanently removed from the school following the incident.
“In addition to undertaking our own review, the department is working with the school, SafeWork NSW and the local Council in relation to this matter,” the Department spokesperson said.
Shoalhaven Council is a statement said, “Council and Safe Work NSW are investigating an incident at Sanctuary Point Public School involving a child being bitten by a dog.
“Initial investigations have determined that the dog regularly attends classes with the children under supervision of the teacher as a companion animal is not considered to be dangerous.”
The NSW Department of Education said “Counselling and support have been offered to the student and his family and is available to any others who may have witnessed the incident.”
SafeWork NSW confirmed it is working with Department of Education and Training and no further comment can be made at this time.
The NSW Department of Education said, “Any further action in relation to the animal is the responsibility of the local Council.”
Shoalhaven Council said it will continue to support Safe Work NSW with its detailed investigation to determine any action that’s necessary.
Schools in NSW must follow the support dog guidelines.
