Damning report calling for tougher dogs laws welcome

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.cwu.org/news/archive/cwu-wel ... -laws.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

15th February 2013

The Communication Workers Union today (Friday) welcomes the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Select Committee report into dangerous dogs. CWU gave evidence and is pleased that serious concerns about attacks on postal workers and telecom engineers have been taken on board with attention given to preventative measures, breed specific legislation and private property.

Billy Hayes, CWU general secretary, said: "The Select Committee's report is strong and clear in its assessment of the failure of current laws.

"This is a far more comprehensive and satisfying response to the problems of dangerous dogs and the limitations of current laws. We hope that Westminster will act on the excellent recommendations in the report and take action to introduce preventative measures against dog attacks, such as dog control notices, and to go further in addressing England's failing dogs laws."

The CWU's Bite Back campaign raises awareness of the 5,000 postal workers attacked by dogs each year and seeks changes to the law to address weaknesses in tackling dangerous dogs. 70% of attacks on postal workers take place on private property where the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act does not apply and the union believes that it also fails to provide adequate preventative measures as well as being hampered by breed-specific criteria.

Dave Joyce, CWU Health, Safety and Environment Officer, gave evidence to the Select Committee and welcomed the report, saying: "Action is desperately needed to improve England's failing dogs laws. The law has already been changed in Scotland and Northern Ireland with Wales also currently legislating. We agree with the Select Committee that last week's announcement by Defra on microchipping and extending the law to private property is welcome but too limited. In particular we're concerned there is no timetable for the implementation of new legislation. This is urgent because 12 postal workers are attacked every day while we're waiting for new laws.

"More is needed to truly change the trend of dog attacks and to improve responsible dog ownership and animal welfare. Prevention - in the form of Dog Control Notices and greater powers and resources for police and local authorities - needs far greater support from government, as the Committee points out. We hope that this thorough report is used as the blueprint for new laws to set the standard for effective change."

Bite-Back Campaign objectives:

new UK wide laws, that prevent dog attacks on postal workers, children and others
dog control laws to apply everywhere including private property
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

The EFRA report, including the CWU's written and oral evidence, can be found on the EFRA select committee website. http://www.parliament.uk/business/commi ... lications/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Smf80]

Totally put my foot through a dog that came at me growling yesterday. Got the little ****** right in the head with my docs on. On the footpath and not on a lead. Always the same. Dog runs at me on a public path, I hoof the dog, owner goes crazy, I remind them of the law.