CWU Welcomes Sentencing Council Guidelines On Dangerous Dogs,
But Condemns Further Delays To Change Of Law

The Communication Workers Union has welcomed new guidance published by the Sentencing Council on how to deal with dangerous dog offences, which will come into force on 20th August. The new guidance has come about as a direct result of the Union's 'Bite-Back' Campaign, spearheaded by CWU National health and safety officer Dave Joyce.

However, the union says that more is needed to tackle the problem of irresponsible dog ownership and that the law must be changed without delay to apply on private property where 70 per cent of attacks on postal workers take place, before the full benefits of the tougher sentencing will be realised by Postal and Telecom workers.

CWU health and safety officer Dave Joyce said:

"These new guidelines from the Sentencing Council are very welcome and will help to level the playing field when it comes to prosecutions. However, the true benefit of the new tougher sentencing regime will not be felt by our members until the law is extended to private property. This is one small step forward in tackling the failings of the current system and we now need the government to push ahead with a comprehensive overhaul of dangerous dogs laws to protect victims and encourage more responsible dog ownership."

He added: "We welcome the tougher approach that will be taken in future as a result of this new guidance, with more people being jailed and fewer being let off. There is a desperate need for greater consistency in sentencing so in that respect this guidance is also welcome. Previously no guidance was issued to local courts so today is major step forward in that respect. We hope this will send a strong message to irresponsible dog owners. However, the number of convictions remains worryingly low. Preventative measures are also needed to provide a holistic approach to the problem of dangerous dogs.

"This won't solve the problem of dangerous dogs on its own and it now needs to be combined with changes in the law for a comprehensive solution." 

The CWU is the biggest union in the communications sector with over 220,000 members. It represents postal and telecom workers who suffer 6,000 dog attacks each year whilst at work. Around 70 per cent of these attacks take place on private property where the law does not apply.

However, in what the Union sees as a further backward step for the victims of dangerous dogs; the CWU learnt today that Defra's dangerous dogs announcement is yet another consultation, instead of the action which is desperately needed to protect thousands of victims of dog attacks. While this consultation takes place twelve postal workers will be attacked every day. Many of them will have no protection in law as 70% of attacks on postal workers take place on private property.

Dave Joyce expressed the Union's concerns when he said:

"We were hoping that all the fanfare around the dangerous dogs announcement this weekend would mean that positive action was on the way. Instead all we're getting is yet another consultation. It's about time the law bit back to protect innocent dog attack victims. Thousands of postal workers and telecom engineers - along with other workers who go onto private property and parents of small children - desperately need the private property loophole closing so that they have some protection.

Government action is well overdue and thousands of people have suffered debilitating injuries while the government has dragged its feet. What more do they need before taking action? We've had a comprehensive consultation, there's cross-party support, now we need action. "CWU has been calling for the law to apply on  private property for years and we fully back compulsory microchipping to identify the owners of dogs and encourage more responsible dog ownership."

CWU launched its Bite Back campaign in 2008 following a horrific attack on a postal worker in Sheffield - Paul Coleman - which left him disabled and with severe scarring.

Dave concluded:

"Today's announcement is a huge disappointment for our long-suffering members. We've had our hopes raised only to learn we could now face more delay until action is taken. UK dangerous dogs laws have been failing both dog attack victims and dog owners for decades and this is another unwelcome delay.  Many of our members have endured sustained attacks by dogs of all breeds and have had no recourse in law - essentially being treated as trespassers when they are simply performing their job. We urge the government to take action and make good the promises of change to private property law and compulsory microchipping.  These actions will make a huge difference, but while delays continue twelve postal workers will be attacked by dogs every day. And 70 per cent of the dog attacks on CWU members occur on private property where the law does not apply. Another disappointment is the absence of any preventative measures in the proposals. We wanted Dog Control Notices as exist in Scotland and Northern Ireland. "

Dangerous dogs laws have already been changed in Scotland and Northern Ireland to address the shortfall in Westminster legislation. The Welsh Assembly is holding an event on 9th May to kick-start the process to change the laws in Wales.

Find out more about the CWU's Bite Back campaign here

Source: CWU

See also: Government  To Cut Compensation Payments For Victims Of Violent Dog Attacks

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