Dangerous Dogs - Bite Back
Following a series of dreadful attacks by dogs on Communication Workers Union members, including two of the worst ever attacks recorded [Sheffield and Cambridge] the CWU launched its Bite-Back campaign in 2008, campaigning for urgent changes to the law to ensure that CWU members are fully protected from dangerous dogs when entering private premises in the course of their duties. Dave Joyce CWU National H&S Officer designed, launched and leads the CWU "Bite-Back" campaign to change the Dangerous Dogs Act and get better law enforcement.
Background
Dog attacks are a particular concern to postwomen
and postmen, with between 5,000 - 6,000 attacks by dogs in the UK
every year. But it is also an important issue for telecoms
engineers, who also visit private premises as a normal part of
their working day. The annual figure for attacks on these workers
is nearly 400.
The problem
CWU national health, safety and environment officer Dave Joyce
leads the campaign and explains: Despite the high - and rising -
numbers of dog attacks, not just on our people but in society as a
whole, including the deaths of six children under the age of five
since 2006, the number of prosecutions is woefully low. Around half
a million people get bitten or attacked each year, but there are
fewer than 650 successful convictions annually under the 1991
Dangerous Dogs Act, with most owners found guilty receiving just a
paltry sentence. The CWU argues that the main weakness of the 1991
Act - in so far as it affects public-service workers - is that it
does not apply on private property, a gap in the law that leaves
not only our members, but also gas, water and electricity workers,
district nurses, home helps, health visitors, care workers and even
meals on wheels volunteers without legal protection from attack.
There are also no proactive measures in the law to enable police
officers and dog wardens to issue control orders on owners of
threatening dogs before an attack takes place."
'Bite-Back' Campaign Objectives
The 'Bite-Back' Campaign objectives are
to get:
- new UK wide laws, that prevents dog attacks on postal workers, children and others,
- the dog control laws to apply everywhere including private property,
- the introduction of new preventative Dog Control Notices (DCNs - Dog ASBOs. Read more...),
- new measures to make owners more accountable and responsible for the actions of their dogs,
- better enforcement of the law by the police and local authorities dog wardens,
- harsher sentences by the courts for offending dangerous dog owners,
- compulsory insurance cover for dogs,
- microchipping of all dogs,
- raise awareness of the serious problem and generate support.
Supporting Organisations
The Bite-Back campaign's aims have won support
from a broad range of organisations, from leading animal charity
RSPCA and canine welfare group Dogs Trust to the Police Federation
and Association of Chief Police Officers. Read more...
Media Campaign
Countless national, regional and local newspaper
and magazine articles have been written. Dozens of national and
local radio and TV interviews have taken place on the subject,
covering the campaign. The Daily Mirror and Daily Record launched
campaigns supporting the call to change the dangerous dogs
laws.
Political Lobbying
Meetings have taken place with government
ministers, party leaders, political groups and MPs, AMs, MSP, MLAs
in Westminster, Welsh Assembly, Scottish Parliament and the
Northern Ireland Assembly. Read
more...
Campaign Success so far:
Politically, the fight for change has won backing
from all corners of the UK, members of our devolved assemblies in
Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and London all expressing support
for the campaign and providing the "good example" for
Westminster to follow. In response to the campaign, at both
Stormont and Holyrood, the elected leaders of Northern Ireland and
Scotland are currently considering new laws - making full use of
their legislative powers - to protect workers and the general
public from dangerous dogs. The governments and assemblies in
Edinburgh, Stormont, Cardiff and London have been lobbied
tirelessly keeping up the pressure on national politicians.
Read more...
Conclusion
The CWU is celebrating a victory for the principle
of the dangerous dogs laws applying everywhere in UK. Any dog can
show aggression, particularly if not handled and trained properly.
The modernisation and replacement of ineffective and outdated
legislation with "piecemeal" rules on dogs, and the
provision of tools to target irresponsible ownership is welcome and
long overdue. Dog wardens and police across the UK will in the near
future now have the legal instruments to deal with the problem of
out-of-control dogs and attacks on private property. The law will
also add the new and important dimension of new "preventative
and proactive" Dog Control Notices (DCNs) and
microchipping.
Further Updates
Further updates will be given to Branches and
Safety Reps as things develop further in the Northern Ireland
Government and in Westminster.
You can read the government consultation document in full here: www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/dangerous-dogs/100309-dangerous-dogs-condoc.pdf
Read the CWU's response to Public Consultation here: CWU Response to HM Government's Public Consultation on Dangerous Dogs V2
Further relevant news stories available here:
CWU responds to Government's consultation on New Dangerous Dogs Law for England and Wales
Coalition government backs dangerous dogs reform
UK nurses back CWU campaign for new dangerous dog laws
Scottish Parliament takes lead on dogs legislation
CWU Welcomes Consultation on Dangerous Dogs
Prime Minister Meets CWU to Discuss New Dog Laws
CWU Backs Mirror Danger Dogs Campaign
Union urges law change to prevent dog attacks on postal workers
The Communication Workers Union represents 240,000 workers of which 70,000 are employed as Royal Mail delivery postmen and women delivering to 27 million private and commercial addresses. Additionally there are 10,000 Parcelforce delivery drivers and 30,000 BT Engineers represented by CWU whose job it is to visit and enter houses and commercial premises where the risk of dog attack is ever present.
