The CWU's "Bite-Back" Campaign, calling for the revision of the Dangerous Dog's Act 1991, better enforcement and harsher sentences for offending dangerous dog owners received a massive boost this month when the Scottish Government agreed to change the Law.

CWU National Health and Safety Officer Dave Joyce explained "The existing Dangerous Dogs Laws do not deal with the problem our members face with dangerous and aggressive dogs. Postal workers in the UK suffer up to 6000 dog attacks every year, with many resulting in serious injuries. The 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act does not fully address the behaviour of irresponsible dog owners because dog attacks which occur on private property are not covered by the 1991 Act and the "Bite-Back" Campaign is aimed at changing that because dog owners in these cases have immunity from that law."

Dave added "70% of dog attacks on Postal workers occur on private premises such as in front garden, on paths and driveways and some of the most serious dog attacks of recent years have happened on private land. There are a significant number of aggressive dogs and irresponsible owners who need to be dealt with. The lack of protection against attacks on private property where a dog is permitted to be is a "gaping hole" in the Dangerous Dogs Act. The current legislation is not working and statistics show that the number of people treated in hospital for dog bites has doubled since the Dangerous Dogs Act was introduced. We want to see owners of aggressive dogs being held to account when they fail to control their dogs and more realistic penalties handed down by the courts when prosecutions take place."

The CWU Health, Safety and Environment Department has been lobbying hard and making strong representations to Ministers in Westminster, the Scottish government plus the Welsh and Northern Ireland assemblies to try to get movement on this issue across the UK.

Most progress has been made in Scotland where MSP Christine Graham has put forward a private members bill, the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Bill, with full CWU support. The bill would bring in the changes and controls the Union is seeking. The good news is that following a lot of lobbying, meetings, campaigning and discussions with MSPs from all Political Groups and Ministers including First Minister Alex Salmond, the Scottish Government have confirmed to the CWU their agreement to change the Dangerous Dogs Laws in Scotland and will back Christine Grahame's Private Members Bill to bring about the changes and improvements the CWU seek. The news came in a letter from the Scottish Justice Minister Kenny Macaskill dated 11th November 2009 which followed an exchange of correspondence with the First Minister Alex Salmond, following a serious dog attack on member Thomas McGrath in Glasgow in July. 

The new law will mean that dog owners in Scotland will no longer be immune if they allow their animals to run out of control and inflict terrible injuries on innocent Royal Mail delivery workers. It would make owners responsible and accountable in criminal law just as they are if the dogs injure some one out in the street. Another change would introduce new Dog Control Orders (ASBOs),  allowing the local authority dog wardens to issue a control order on owners of dangerous dogs as a preventative measure which could include compulsory training, muzzling or ordering the dog not to be let of a lead in public etc with criminal sanctions in the orders are breached. There is broad support from Labour and the Scottish Nationalist Parties.

Dave Joyce added "The confirmation that the Scottish Government will back the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Bill is great news for the Union and a step forward in our campaign. Lets hope that this is the catalyst for Westminster to take on board the law changes also. A series of recently meetings with new Defra Minister Jim Fitzpatrick have been promising and we hope to make a break through with a positive announcement in the new year."

Organisations supporting the law changes called for by the CWU in its "Bite-Back" campaign include the RSPCA, Dogs Trust, Kennel Club, Police Federation, Advocates for Animals, Canine Concern, Battersea Dogs Home, Blue Cross, British Veterinary Association, Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, Wood Green Animal Shelters, Guide Dogs For The Blind, Parents Against Dangerous Animals plus the IIRSM, TUC and Unions such as Unison, GMB, Unite, Prospect etc.