Dog trainer issues advice to all cockapoo owners after toddler's arm is 'ripped open'

A dog trainer has issued advice after a toddler was brutally bitten by a cockapoo outside a primary school.

Bunnie, three, was attacked by a stranger's pet in Rainham, Kent. The horrific incident happened in front of her father, Rowen Skinley and two siblings.

Dad Rowen recalled: "It happened parallel to the school on the main road. I was just walking home after the school run. The path is quite narrow, and a woman was walking her dog on the actual road itself.

"Then, out of nowhere, the dog just lunged for my daughter and pulled her to the floor. The owner managed to pull the dog off, but when she did that, it ripped her skin open. I was so shocked. All I had to stop the bleeding was my hands. I had to basically hold her skin together."

The dog owner rushed away from the scene, but bystanders were quick to assist Rowen and his young daughter. Bunnie was left with severe skin injuries and was taken to a local hospital where she received plastic surgery.

Bunnie has been left feeling "shaken up" and "scared" following the incident, which is now being investigated by Kent Police.

Professional trainer's verdict on dog attacks

Following the heartbreaking incident, we caught up with professional dog trainer Annie-Mae Levy to hear her thoughts on the matter - particularly as cockapoos have become one of the most common breeds in Britain.

The canine expert at Woofz told us: "It is always tragic to read about a dog attack in the news, but it is perhaps more shocking to the public when it is a breed we don't consider to be a 'dangerous breed'.

"Cockapoos have risen in popularity massively over the last 10 years and are generally regarded as cuddly, friendly family dogs. To hear of one causing such damage to a young child is often more shocking than breeds such as the XL Bully, but is this fair?

"In my line of work, I encounter dog-human aggression in nearly every single breed!"

Important advice for cockapoo owners

While cockapoos are known for their loving temperaments, Annie-Mae urged all owners to be mindful of resource guarding. This particular trait can lead to aggression if left unchecked.

She said: "Dogs become aggressive for a huge range of reasons, but mainly we are called in to deal with fear-based reactivity or resource guarding when there has been a dog bite.

"I think it would surprise most people to hear that bites due to resource guarding are predominantly from cockapoos, cocker spaniels, and labradors.

"We have bred these dogs to enjoy possessing items (so that they hold onto items we wanted them to retrieve), and left unchecked, this genetic desire to possess can easily slip into resource guarding behaviour. All of this says that bites happen in all breeds."

If your pet is territorial over items, food or even you, it's something to keep an eye on. Different training options can be beneficial - from teaching dogs the 'leave it' command to tackling any underlying anxiety.

Are some dog breeds more dangerous than others?

The cockapoo attack is a sign that any dog can show aggression - but trainer Annie-Mae revealed why some are deemed more dangerous than others.

She added: "I think the issue and controversy arise when we argue that XL Bullys, Pitbulls, and other types are inherently more aggressive than other breeds. This is an inconvenient truth.

"Yes, with good breeding and socialisation, these dogs can be the most wonderful, loving pets, but it would be irresponsible not to acknowledge the fact that these dogs were originally bred for strength, tenacity, animal aggression, and dog aggression.

"This genetic history, combined with poor breeding practices and improper early training, can lead to a complete disaster of an animal, held inside the frame of an exceptionally powerful dog.

"At the end of the day, most breeds can make for wonderful pets, but some are inherently less likely to become dangerous than others.

"Well-bred companion dogs, such as the Shih Tzu, for example, are far less likely to show serious aggression, and when they do, the injuries sustained are incomparable to those of a large bull breed."