UK nurses back CWU campaign for new dangerous dog laws
11th May 2010
Britain's largest professional nursing union has added its voice to calls for new laws tackling the growing problem of out-of-control dogs and will submit evidence to the government review.
The 400,000-strong Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has given its full support to the CWU's "Bite Back" campaign, which is demanding full legal protection for workers who have to enter private premises in the course of their duties.
Every year, CWU members who deliver post or repair, maintain and provide residential telephone services have been attacked - and, in some cases, seriously injured - by domestic pets. But, under the present law - the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 - they have no right of redress.
And many RCN members face similar risk of attack when they enter private premises homes to provide health services to people in their own homes, while RCN members working in hospitals see at first hand the effects of such attacks.
Explaining the union's position, RCN senior employment relations adviser Kim Sunley said that the key weakness of current law was that "the current Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 does not apply to attacks committed on private property and we intend to put in a response to the DEFRA consultation on dangerous dogs as it impacts on our members who work as district nurses and health visitors."
As well as entering a formal submission to the review on behalf of the union, the RCN is also encouraging its members to submit their own views, Kim continued, adding: "We want to hear from not only those district nurses and health visitors who have been bitten and attacked by dogs, but particularly those who work in A&E and plastic surgery and see the impact of dog attacks on victims."
CWU national health, safety and environment officer Dave Joyce warmly welcomed the RCN's position, saying: "It's highly significant, and very welcome, that the UK's largest professional nursing union has come out so strongly in favour of changes to the law.
"RCN members - like so many of our postal and telecoms
members - have first-hand experience of the risks involved in
providing front-line public services and, like our people, they
urgently need full, legal protection against attacks by
out-of-control dogs," he added.
For more information on the CWU Bite Back campaign visit: www.cwu.org/dangerous-dogs-bite-back.html
