US Certified Master Dog Trainer and Security Analyst, Kenneth Kojo Singah has addressed concerns raised over the harrowing incident involving a dog mauling a sleeping baby which sparked a nationwide conversation on responsible dog ownership in Ghana.
Singah drew a startling parallel, equating acquiring a dog to obtaining a firearm, emphasizing the necessity for proper guidance and training. He lamented the lack of awareness among many Ghanaians regarding the responsibilities that come with owning a dog, noting that often, first-time owners are ill-prepared and unaware of the necessary processes for acquiring and training a dog.
“One, is lack of training for the dog, two is negligence of the parents as well because what we don’t advise is to leave children alone with dogs. Because there’s no way I can give a gun to a child without my presence. So, the dog is just like a gun,” Singah emphasized.
He said in an interview with Johnnie Hughes on 3FM Sunrise Morning show on April 23.
He highlighted the potential dangers of leaving children unsupervised with dogs, stressing that dogs, like firearms, require guidance and supervision to prevent accidents.
Singah elucidated on common scenarios where children may inadvertently provoke dogs, leading to aggressive behavior and potential harm.
“You know how some children play with dogs. Some children would even hold a dog ear and start pulling, or hold the dog tail and start pulling, even grab their legs, some triy to hug them and dogs don’t speak, they use action so if you grab the ears of the dogs and it feeling the pain, the only reaction or response is to use the teeth and when the dog use the teeth a little bit on the child, and the child screams, it makes the dog excited because the dog thinks that’s a nice game,” he said.
Dog mauls sleeping baby in Accra; tears off body parts | 3News
Furthermore, Singah urged prospective dog owners to seek guidance from trained professionals such as trainers and veterinarians before acquiring a dog. He emphasized the importance of understanding the breed, behavior, and training needs of a dog to ensure a safe and harmonious relationship between pet and owner.
Adding to the discourse, Senior Specialist Plastic Surgeon at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) and President of Kennel Union of Ghana, Dr. Warigbani Pieterson, underscored the importance of responsible dog ownership. He urged individuals to conduct thorough research on dog breeds and to socialize dogs from an early age to prevent misunderstandings or aggressive reactions, particularly in unfamiliar situations.
“I will advise people that want to get dogs to do their research on the dogs they want and the breeds they want and also talk to people that have a similar breed,” Dr. Pieterson emphasized.
By Joselyn Kafui Nyadzi
