Dangerous Dogs - Bite Back
CWU's Bite Back campaign aims to raise awareness about
responsible dog ownership and get new laws in place to protect
people who are attacked on private property. We launched the
campaign in 2008, a year which, once again, saw attack after attack
on CWU members by out-of-control dogs.
Two particularly horrific cases were the injuries suffered by postmen in Sheffield and Cambridge, both of whom almost lost limbs while carrying out their duties because of the irresponsibility of dog owners.
Sign the e-petition now to force a House of Commons debate and put pressure on the Government to deliver on its assurances and overhaul dog laws and bring forward new legislation in the Queen's Speech.
The union estimates that some 5,000 postal workers and
around 400 telecom engineers are attacked by domestic pets each
year - these range from minor injuries to the kind of
life-threatening incidents suffered by the postmen in Sheffield and
Cambridge.
But, while in the Sheffield case, the owner was prosecuted and jailed, the man who owned two rottweillers that almost tore off the Cambridge postman's arm escaped legal sanction altogether.
CWU believes the current dogs laws are insufficient and leave thousands of workers vulnerable. One of the major problems is a loophole in the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act which means there is no redress for attacks that occur on private property. Read about our political success.
Some 70 per cent of the dog attacks on our members occur on private property, in gardens, drives, paths and private roads. And it's not only CWU people - gas, water and electricity workers, district nurses, home helps, health visitors, care workers and even meals on wheels volunteers are all left utterly unprotected by the law because of this weakness in legislation.
Dave Joyce, CWU health, safety and environment
officer, has spearheaded the CWU's campaign for legal reform
and argues: "It's outrageous that hard-working and
conscientious people, providing a whole range of vital public
services have been, effectively, treated the same as criminal
trespassers by the law. We desperately need new laws to protect
victims and promote responsible dog ownership to prevent attacks
taking place."
'Bite-Back' Campaign objectives:
- 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 (or
'dog ASBOs')
- 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
See the links alongside for more information on political progress, case studies, how you can support the campaign and related media.
Sign the e-petition
now!
The Communication Workers Union represents 206,000 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.
