LTB 735/10 - "JOINT STATEMENT" ON DOG CONTROL

[POSTMAN]

27 August 2010
LTB 735/10 - "JOINT STATEMENT" ON DOG CONTROL - 20 ORGANISATIONS CALL FOR NEW DANGEROUS DOGS LAW AND IMPROVED ENFORCEMENT: ("Bite-Back" Campaign)

No. 735/10
Ref P18
Date: 27 August 2010

To: All Branches

Dear Colleagues


"JOINT STATEMENT" ON DOG CONTROL - 20 ORGANISATIONS CALL FOR NEW DANGEROUS DOGS LAW AND IMPROVED ENFORCEMENT: ("Bite-Back" Campaign)


As part of the Union's "Bite-Back" Campaign, the CWU Health, Safety & Environment has been working closely with our campaign partners the RSPCA. Over recent months we have been holding discussions with a number of organisations in order to increase pressure on the Westminster Coalition government to change the law on Dangerous Dogs and improve enforcement and enforcement resources. This resulted in 20 major organisations coming together to call on the Prime Minister and government to take action on this issue and bring in improved dog laws.

Some of the UK’s largest animal charities, law enforcement agencies and Trade Unions eventually came together this month to form a 'campaign coalition' to jointly call on the leaders of the main political parties to work together to introduce improved and updated legislation on dog ownership to protect dog welfare and public safety. The 20 groups have come together to demand action against irresponsible dog owners by the Government and the provision of necessary resources for those tasked with policing dog control laws.

The "Joint Statement" was timed to come ahead of the summary of responses from Defra’s consultation on dog legislation and the government's response which is expected this autumn. Defra launched a consultation in March 2010 to seek "views on whether current legislation relating to dangerous dogs adequately protects the public and encourages responsible dog ownership." That public consultation received more than 4,000 responses by the time it closed in June, indicating the scale of interest and concern in the subject. Branches and Safety Representatives will be aware that the CWU Health, Safety and Environment Department issued a detailed response to the Defra consultation.

The "Joint Statement" has been sent to Prime Minister David Cameron MP, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg MP and acting leader of the opposition Harriet Harman MP.

The associated "Press Release" gained front page coverage in National, Regional and local Newspapers and led to a number of TV and Radio interviews, helping to maintain a high profile.

The Joint Statement says:

“We believe that irresponsible dog ownership, whether it is allowing dogs to stray, be dangerously out of control or indiscriminately breeding them, causes significant problems for the safety and welfare of both humans and animals. Current
legislation is proving inadequate in many cases to ensure sufficient protection."

“We believe that both the provision of sufficient resources at a local level for local authorities and the police, and updated and consolidated legislation that has a genuine preventative effect, are needed to address this problem."

“We call on the coalition Government to act and bring forward legislation that addresses these areas effectively.”

Attached is both a copy of both the "Joint Statement" and associated "Press Release".

Organisations signed up to the statement include:


Battersea Dogs & Cats Home,
The Blue Cross,
The British Horse Society,
Dogs Trust,
Guide Dogs for the Blind,
The Kennel Club,
The Mayhew Animal Home,
PDSA (People Dispensary For Sick Animals),
RSPCA,
British Veterinary Association (BVA),
National Dog Warden Association (NDWA),
CIEH (Chartered Institute for Environmental Health),
IIRSM (International Institute of Risk and Safety Management),
TUC (Trades Union Congress),
Communication Workers Union (CWU),
GMB,
Police Federation,
Prospect,
UNISON,
UNITE.


Around half a million people, including 6000 Postal Workers (CWU Members) are bitten or attacked by dogs each year, but there are fewer than 650 convictions annually.


CWU Branches in England and Wales and Safety Reps can assist by sending the "Joint Statement" to their MP, asking for their support and informing them that the CWU firmly believes that the Government must take prompt action to tackle dangerous dogs, which includes making changes to the current dangerous dog legislation. The current legislation is outdated and ineffective in combating the growing problem of dangerous dogs. The CWU calls upon government to introduce tougher punishments for owning a dog which is dangerously out of control and causing injury and calls upon government to extend the Act to cover private property and land plus introduce new Dog Control Notices (DCNs),
giving Police and Dog Wardens extended, proactive enforcement powers. The government also needs to issue new guidance to the Courts on handing down appropriate punishment to offenders. We also want to see the introduction of compulsory Third Party Insurance cover to ensure injured Postal workers can get compensation in all cases and they should introduce compulsory Microchipping and/or Dog Licenses.



Branches will be aware that the CWU 'Bite-Back' campaign has resulted in new Dangerous Dogs Laws being introduced in both Scotland and Northern Ireland which will come into force in 2011.

Yours Sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer