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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.