Battersea Dogs Home Supports "CWU Bite-Back Campaign":

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Letter to Branches




No. 872/11
Ref P18
Date: 18 October 2011

To: All Branches,

Dear Colleagues,

Battersea Dogs Home Supports "CWU Bite-Back Campaign":
 
An important and valuable meeting has recently taken place with the Chief Executive and other Executive Officers of the influential Battersea Dogs Home who have given their full backing to the CWU 'Bite-Back' Campaign and along with many other big Animal
Welfare Charities such as RSPCA, Dogs Trust and Blue Cross are now campaigning alongside the Union with the objectives to achieve new and effective dog control legislations across the UK.
 
We have worked hard to strengthen our links and working relationships with the Animal Welfare Charities, all UK Major Trade Unions, The Police Federations and Association of Chief Police Officers, The National Dog Wardens Association and the Medical
Profession, in particular the Royal College of Nursing who have pledged their continued support for our campaign.

A key component of our Union's campaign to work with and gain the support of all like minded organisations in order to campaign together in partnership with the strength of a common voice.

A major meeting has been jointly organised by CWU, RSPCA and Dogs Trust on 24 October, involving around 30 key Organisations to discuss campaigning strategy on how to take forward the objectives of the "Bite-Back" Campaign and further reports will be issued to Branches in due course. Those organisations attending the 'Campaign Coalition meting' include: RSPCA, Kkennel Club, Dogs Trust, Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, Blue Cross, Wood Green Animal Shelter, Mayhew Animal Home, Guide Dogs for The Blind, Unite, UNISON, GMB, USDAW, Prospect, CWU,  BVA, RCVS, BSAVA, Local Authorities, GLA, Royal College of Nursing, National Dog Wardens Association Police Federation, Association of Chief Police Officers, Lawyers, Dog Trainers etc.

There is now wide spread consensus around the need to for new laws on dog control. The case for changing the law could not be stronger. 5,000-6000 postal workers are injured every year by dogs. The Government needs to extend the Law to apply everywhere including private land and premises. We need proactive, preventative measures introduced via Dog Control Notices (DCNs) that may require a range of measures on the part of a dog owner to restrain and control a dog properly, including muzzling in public, containing it in a secure place, keeping a dog on a lead at all times or even compelling owner and dog to attend training. There are all sorts of measures that could be included in a Dog Control Notice to encourage more responsible ownership. There's a need for more severe penalties, for irresponsible dog ownership in serious cases including heavier fines, imprisonment if necessary, disqualification and deprivation of ownership. There's a need for compulsory microchipping to overcome ownership identification problems. There's a need to educate owners about responsible dog ownership. 80% of the public want the law updated and consolidated.

97% of the key organisations identified by Defra support extending the Law to private land. The Union's campaign has succeeded in getting the Dangerous Dogs Laws changed in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The Welsh Assembly support our campaign
for change. The 'Bite-Back' campaign is now centred on Westminster where the  Coalition Government have still not made any firm announcement to change the Dangerous Dogs Laws covering England and Wales despite the Prime Minister
promising the CWU they would in a letter received last April.
 
Please see attached a letter from Claire Horton Chief Executive Battersea Dogs & Cats Home for your information.
 
Yours Sincerely
 



Dave Joyce
CWU National Health, Safety & Environment Officer