CWU And Police Agree New Arrangements For Investigating
Dangerous Dogs Incidents

The Communication Workers Union Welcomed Today's introduction of a new  arrangements the Union has agreed with Police Chiefs for investigating and prosecuting Dangerous Dogs Act Offences.

The CWU's successful, high profile "Bite-Back" campaign achieved new far tougher dangerous dogs control laws and tougher sentences in the UK, finally introduced in May 2014 after the Union's seven year campaign during which 30,000 Postmen and Women were attacked and injured by dogs.

The 'tripartied' Investigation and Prosecution Service Level Agreement/ Protocol was Signed by Dave Joyce the CWU's National Health and Safety Officer along with Royal Mail's Safety Director Shaun Davis and the National Police Chiefs Council Lead on Dogs Gareth Pritchard, the Deputy Chief Constable from North Wales.

The new set of arrangement are to be Piloted buy 5 Police Forces, the Metropolitan Police, West Midlands Police and Merseyside Police (the Country's three biggest forces) from today with South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire joining on 5th October after a six months trial the arrangements will be reviewed and rolls out across the UK at the end of next February.

CWU National Health and Safety Officer and 'Bite-Back' Campaign leader Dave Joyce said:

"Following last years dog law and sentencing changes, this new SLA/Protocol is a big step forward and great achievement.

Something I've campaigned for and which paves the way for consistent enforcement of the Dangerous Dogs Laws across the UK, something which is currently lacking and which results in a wide gulf between the Country's 50 police forces in the way they prioritise, resource, investigate and prosecute cases.

This new protocol will iron that out hopefully see effective enforcement and justice for victims no matter where a dog attack happens."

* 4,000 Postal and Telecom workers are attack by dogs every year.

* 31 people have been killed by dogs in the UK. 17 of which are children. 28 of which have occurred since 2005.

* Royal Mail now privately prosecutes dog owners following attacks of its staff under an agreement with the CWU where the Police or CPS don't take action.

Details of the agreement with the CWU can be found in a PDF document which can be downloaded here

It is also available from the E-Library Database for future downloading.

Source: CWU

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