Dangerous dogs consultation – get your message in now
11th June 2012
CWU is encouraging branches and members to send in their views
on dangerous dogs laws to a government consultation before the
closing date this Friday, June 15. In particular,
members who have experienced a dog attack are encouraged to write
in a personal capacity to help demonstrate the large number of
victims and range of incidents endured by victims every year.
You can contribute to the consultation, which is being run by
Defra, by taking part in an online survey, by e-mail
or by post (address below). It only need take a couple of minutes
and you could have a direct impact on new laws so please act now!
CWU health and safety officer
Dave Joyce said: "I'm appealing to all
members to respond in writing to the consultation, and take this
golden opportunity to influence the government on the massive
problem of dangerous dogs. We really need people to take a few
short minutes to give their opinions to force the government to
change the law for the better.
"You can use our campaign points to make it easier and
quicker. Don't forget to get as many of your colleagues,
friends, and family to respond to the Defra consultation which
closes this month."
Key issues:
(a) Extend the law to private property both inside and outside in
order to close the loophole whereby 70% of attacks on postal
workers take place on private property where owners are immune from
prosecution
(b) Compulsory microchipping of all dogs within a year of the new legislation being introduced in order to better trace owners and link them to the dog
(c) Government needs to introduce Dog Control Notices as a preventative tool for police officers and dog wardens to deal with menacing dogs before attacks take place.
(d) That the government introduce compulsory third party insurance or alternative suitable injury compensation arrangements, higher criminal compensation orders and that the Ministry of Justice must not abolish Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme (CICS) payments for dog attack victims in cases of irresponsible ownership.
There is an online survey here: www.surveymonkey.com/s/dogsconsultation2012
You don't have to complete every question but please do
complete the sections about compulsory microchipping and extending
the law to private property as CWU believes these are crucial to
help improve responsible dog ownership and better protect victims
of attacks.
Or you can e-mail the consulation team on:
animalwelfare.consultations@defra.gsi.gov.uk
Or send your letters to:
Defra - Dangerous Dogs Team
Animal Welfare
Area 8B,
9 Millbank
c/o 17 Smith Square
London
SW1P 3JR
