Dog Laws Need More Teeth Says CWU
The Communication Workers Union today (Wednesday) welcomes Angela Smith MP’s Ten Minute Rule Bill aimed at amending the Dangerous Dogs Act which currently leaves thousands of postal and other workers vulnerable to savage dog attacks. CWU is working with public sector union Unison, as well as the RSPCA, the Dogs Trust, Metropolitan Police and other stakeholders to support a change in the law.
Billy Hayes, CWU general secretary, said: “Angela Smith’s Bill comes not a moment too soon. The Dangerous Dogs laws in the UK currently leave thousands of postal workers at risk from debilitating dog attacks with no legal right to pursue damages or to have action taken against dangerous dogs and their owners.
“Around 6,000 postal workers are attacked by dogs every year with 70 per cent attacked on private property where the Dangerous Dogs Act doesn't apply and the owners are therefore not prosecuted. Postmen and women cannot therefore be awarded compensation under Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act.
“The CWU’s view is a simple one that if a person wishes to own an animal, particularly a dog, then they have a duty to ensure that it doesn’t cause personal injury and damage.”
Dave Prentis, General Secretary of UNISON, said: “Most dog owners are responsible but dangerous dogs need to be brought under stricter legal control. It is appalling that district nurses, utility workers home care and social workers among others, run the risk of being attacked by these animals when visiting clients at home. Dog attacks can result in serious debilitation and disfiguring injuries and can also be the cause of high levels of stress.
“It is time to update the Dangerous Dog Act so the law applies everywhere, including private property which is where so many workers get bitten. This would lead to better protection for our members and more rigorous enforcement of the law.”
Dave Joyce, CWU Health, Safety and Environment Officer said: “Not enough has been done to foster responsible dog ownership and irresponsible ownership is increasing hand over fist. There is a total lack of criminal and civil sanctions to deal with irresponsible and criminal animal keepers.
“With animals, the keeper must expect the unexpected and err on the side of caution. Owners must be made to take responsibility for their actions and that of their animals and if they don't then they need to know that they'll be held to account.
“The Government has stated that their general intention is to rebalance the law in favour of the victim. The CWU strongly supports the view that ‘strict liability’ should apply to all cases where harm or damage is caused by animals, in particular dogs.”
A change in the law would help to protect tens of thousands of workers who need to go onto private property for their jobs, including postal workers, telephone engineers, meter readers, meals on wheels, district nurses and other health workers.
The CWU has seen some of the worst dog attacks in living memory in recent years. Postman Paul Coleman suffered a sustained attack delivering Christmas mail in 2007 and needed skin grafts and plastic surgery. Keith Davies in Cambridge nearly lost his leg in a shocking attack just before Christmas 2008. Several hundred dog attacks result in postal workers sustaining serious debilitating and disfiguring injuries along with deep physiological trauma every year.