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Following years of campaigning by the CWU and other organisations, the Government have finally made amendments to the existing dangerous dogs law introduced by Thatcher in a knee-jerk reaction to deaths as a result of attacks by dangerous dogs.
The Tory-led coalition government, having stopped prevaricating over the issue, has finally confirmed that amendments to the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 will come into force tomorrow, Tuesday 13 May 2014.
 Dave Joyce, the CWU’s National Health, Safety and Environment Officer and lead of the Union's 'Bite Back Campaign'; via his letter to all CWU branches (LTB311/14), has issued this statement to the media:
"The Communication Workers Union which represents the largest number of dog attack victims in the UK is today 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 and bitten by dogs with two members nearly losing their lives in vicious maulings.
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 today's changes for England and Wales, the largest part of the UK now 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 day for our 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.
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 UK's 29 Million addresses! The week is to be supported by RSPCA, Dogs Trust, Blue Cross, PDSA, Battersea Dogs Home, Guide Dogs For the Blind, Wood Green Animal Charity, British Vets Association, Dog Trainers, Lawyers, Police, Dog Wardens, Local Authorities and many other organisations."
Dave says that the Union wants all Area and Workplace Safety Reps involved, supporting Dog Awareness week locally along with all Branches and Delivery Reps - further information will follow on Dog Awareness Week.
Source: CWU
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