20 organisations call for tougher dogs laws

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24th August 2010

The Communication Workers Union, in partnership with some of the UK's largest animal charities, law enforcement agencies and other trade unions, has today (Tuesday) launched a joint statement calling on the leaders of the main political parties to work together to introduce improved and updated legislation to protect dog welfare and public safety.

CWU has come together with 20 different organisations to demand action against irresponsible dog owners by the Government and the provision of necessary resources for those tasked with policing dog control laws. CWU is hoping to build on the success of our 'Bite-Back' campaign and make a bigger impact with the wider support, highlighting the growing danger of dogs to postal and other communication workers.

it comes ahead of the summary of responses from Defra's consultation on dog legislation which is expected this autumn. The consultation received more than 4,000 responses by the time it closed in June, indicating the scale of interest in the subject.

The statement will be sent to Prime Minister David Cameron MP, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg MP and acting leader of the opposition Harriet Harman MP.

The statement says: "We believe that irresponsible dog ownership, whether it is allowing dogs to stray, be dangerously out of control or indiscriminately breeding them, causes significant problems for the safety and welfare of both humans and animals. Current legislation is proving inadequate in many cases to ensure sufficient protection.

"We believe that both the provision of sufficient resources at a local level for local authorities and the police, and updated and consolidated legislation that has a genuine preventative effect, are needed to address this problem.

"We call on the coalition Government to act and bring forward legislation that addresses these areas effectively."

CWU national heath and safety officer Dave Joyce said: "This is a significant development in the campaign to get UK dog laws strengthened. Five thousand postal workers are attacked by dogs each year and serious dog attacks are on the rise yet the prosecution rate remains woefully low."