Another dogs law delay, says CWU
23rd April 2012
CWU is today disappointed that Defra's dangerous dogs
announcement is yet another consultation, instead of the action
which is desperately needed to protect thousands of victims of dog
attacks. While this consultation takes place twelve postal workers
will be attacked every day. Many of them will have no protection in
law as 70% of attacks on postal workers take place on private
property.
Billy Hayes, CWU general secretary,
said: "We were hoping that all the fanfare around the
dangerous dogs announcement this weekend would mean that positive
action was on the way. Instead all we're getting is yet another
consultation.
"It's about time the law bit back to protect innocent
dog attack victims. Thousands of postal workers and telecom
engineers - along with other workers who go onto private property
and parents of small children - desperately need the private
property loophole closing so that they have some protection.
"Government action is well overdue and thousands of people
have suffered debilitating injuries while the government has
dragged its feet. What more do they need before taking action?
We've had a comprehensive consultation, there's cross-party
support, now we need action.
"CWU has been calling for the law to apply on private
property for years and we fully back compulsory microchipping to
identify the owners of dogs and encourage more responsible dog
ownership."
CWU launched its Bite Back campaign in 2008 following a horrific
attack on a postal worker in Sheffield - Paul Coleman - which left
him with severe scarring.
CWU health and safety officer Dave Joyce
has led the union's campaign and added: "Today's
announcement is a huge disappointment for our long-suffering
members. We've had our hopes raised only to learn we could now
face a delay of years until action is taken. UK dangerous dogs laws
have been failing both dog attack victims and dog owners for
decades and this is another unwelcome delay.
"Many of our members have endured sustained attacks by dogs
of all breeds and have had no recourse in law - essentially being
treated as trespassers when they are simply performing their job.
We urge the government to take action and make good the promises of
change to private property law and compulsory microchipping. These
actions will make a huge difference, but while delays continue
twelve postal workers will be attacked by dogs every day."
70 per cent of the dog attacks on CWU members occur on private
property where the law does not apply.
Dangerous dogs laws have already been changed in Scotland and
Northern Ireland to address the shortfall in Westminster
legislation. The Welsh Assembly is holding an event on
9th May to kick-start the process to change the laws in
Wales.
The Communications Workers Union represents postal delivery workers and telecom engineers who suffer 6,000 dog attacks each year.
