New Dangerous Dogs Law Came Into Force On Tuesday 13 May 2014

Following years of campaigning by the Communication Workers Union and other organisations, the Government have finally made amendments to the existing dangerous dogs law introduced in haste, two decades ago, in a knee-jerk reaction to a number of serious dog attacks on children at the time.

The Coalition Government have finally confirmed that amendments to the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 came into force on Tuesday 13 May 2014.

Dave Joyce, the CWU’s National Health, Safety and Environment Officer and leader of the Union's 'Bite Back Campaign' for seven years issued the following statement on the new dog law changes:

"The Communication Workers Union, which represents the largest number of dog attack victims in the UK, is welcoming into force the long awaited new tough Dog Control Laws.

The CWU is the organisation above all others that has brought about the Dangerous Dog Law changes, having run a titanic campaign for seven years, during which time 30,000 Postal and Telecommunication workers have been attacked, savaged, bitten and injured by dogs with two members nearly losing their lives in vicious maulings."

Commenting upon the Union's 7 year long campaign, he added:

The CWU's high profile "Bite-Back" campaign, supported by animal welfare charities, Police, Unions, employers, vets, medics, dog trainers, dog wardens etc., first won changes in Scotland followed by Northern Ireland and now changes for England and Wales, the largest part of the UK, ensures the whole nation has a new, far tougher dog control regime in place to protect not only communication workers but also children and ordinary members of the public.

This is a historic achievement for CWU members who have suffered by the thousand with dog bites for years and at the same time had fun poked at them with jokes about dogs chasing and biting the postman when in reality it is anything but a joke.

With a huge loophole in the law finally closing, it means at long last that the past immunity from prosecution for private property attacks, enjoyed by irresponsible and negligent dog owners, now disappears and at the same time, new far tougher penalties and prison sentences, rising from 2-years maximum to 14-years maximum come into force, along with new Control Orders and Compulsory Microchipping - all the things the CWU has fought for - for so long."

Dave concluded:

"The CWU campaign focus now shifts to effective, consistent enforcement and public awareness.

The Union along with Royal Mail Group will run a nationwide Dog Awareness Week from June 30th to July 4th with the new law changes being a big part of a high profile national public awareness week and campaign full of events and communications to the UK's 29 million addresses!  The week is to be supported by major animal welfare charities, vets, medics, dog trainers, lawyers, Police, dog wardens, local authorities and many other organisations."

The Union is calling on all its local, area, branch and regional representatives to get involved, supporting Dog Awareness Week locally  - further information will follow on Dog Awareness Week:

Royal Mail/CWU Dog Awareness Week 2014 - June 30th to July 4th

Top tips for dog owners to help the postman or woman deliver the post in safety:

• Keep your dog indoors around the time that the postman calls to deliver mail.
• Before you open the door to collect a parcel or sign for an item - put your dog in another room.
• Make sure children don’t open the door, as dogs can push by them and attack the postman.
• If you have a back garden, close off the access, so your dog can't get round to the front when the postman calls.
• If your dog attacks the mail and could bite a postman’s fingers as he puts mail through your letterbox, please fit a letter box cage.
• If it’s not practical for you to keep your dog away from a postman delivering your mail, consider fitting a secure mailbox on the edge of your property.

Source: Communication Workers Union