Meeting with and Letter to Donald Brydon Chairman Royal Mail

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Letter to Branches




No. 915 /11
Ref P18
Date: 31 October 2011

To: All Branches,

Dear Colleagues,

Meeting with and Letter to Donald Brydon Chairman Royal Mail Group - Dangerous Dogs Legislation - CWU 'Bite-Back' Campaign:

I am pleased to report to Branches that a progressive meeting has taken place with the Chairman of Royal Mail Group Donald Brydon, followed up by a letter (copy attached).

The outcome of these discussions is a firm commitment from the Royal Mail Group Chairman that henceforth the organisation will provide more active and
visible public support in our campaign to change the current, ineffective Dangerous Dogs Laws in England and Wales which could result in a significant reduction in dog attacks and resultant injuries to our member if we are successful.

As you know, the CWU 'Bite-Back' Campaign was launched in 2007-2008 and has so far achieved new Dangerous Dogs Laws in both Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The new Scottish and Northern Irish laws are a great achievement for the Union's campaign. Postal workers in Scotland and Northern Ireland who had no protection before the new laws were installed are welcoming the new controls on dangerous dogs - Those owners that flout the laws can now expect tougher penalties including up to two years in prison and/or an unlimited fine. We now want the same laws in England and Wales.

We are awaiting an announcement from Westminster and I am due to meet the new Defra Minister Lord Taylor of Holbeach on 15th November.

I will also be meeting the Welsh National Assembly Minister John Griffiths in the near future to discuss the options for Wales.

There is now wide spread consensus around the need 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 can be served by Police Officers and Dog Wardens on owners of aggressive dogs, requiring the owner to comply with a range of measures to restrain and control a dog properly and which may include muzzling in public, containing it in a secure place, keeping the dog away from certain areas, 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 from dog 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.



The CWU and our main Campaign Partners the RSPCA have formed a powerful Campaign Coalition lobbying group of supporting organisations which includes
RSPCA, Kennel 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,  British Veterinary Association, Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, British Small Animals Veterinary Association, Local
Authorities, Greater London Authority, Royal College of Nursing, National Dog Wardens Association, Police Federation, Association of Chief Police Officers,
Lawyers, Dog Trainers etc. All support our campaign and are in agreement on what needs to be done in relation to getting rid of the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act
and half a dozen or more useless acts, replacing them with a consolidated, modernised, simple to use and effective and strengthened Dog Control Law, that;
- prevents dog attacks on Postal Workers, other workers, children, the public,
- prevents attacks on Guide Dogs and other innocent animals, 
- applies everywhere including private property,
- introduces new preventative measures, namely Dog Control Notices (DCNs) to be issued by Dog Wardens and Police Officers,
- introduces compulsory Microchipping for better traceability of owners,
- introduces harsher sentences by the Courts for offending, irresponsible, dangerous dog owners and
- provides better information, education and training for dog owners.

In House of Commons Adjournment debates on 6th July and 19th October the Ministers did at least confirm that the situation is worsening and acknowledged there is no doubt that there is a need for change.

A cross-party group of MPs has also been formed by CWU & RSPCA which has been working with us and has generated a number of debates on the issue.

The CWU's campaign has been a broad campaign, far wider than the main aim of changing legislation - e.g. promoting responsible ownership, microchipping,
tenancy agreements, training, social issues. In this regard I have addressed many audiences, e.g. MPs and Lords, the GLA, the 33 London Boroughs, Housing
Trusts representatives etc.

We welcome Royal Mail strengthening its position of support for the CWU Campaign and working with us. Support in the past was blocked by James Mitchell Government Affairs Director of Royal Mail Group.

Going forward we are at a crucial stage in respect of the Westminster Government and our efforts are centred on maximising pressure on the government to make what we consider to be the right decision around new legislation and enforcement. CWU welcomes a more visible and firm support from Royal Mail publicly.

We want a change in the law to encourage responsible dog ownership. We also want new laws to protect Postal workers who are attacked on private property
as currently the law only applies on public land leaving Postmen and Women - as well as many other people like meter readers and district nurses - unprotected
if they're attacked by dogs on duty. It's an unfair loophole which allows irresponsible dog owners to get away with it if their dog injures an innocent person.

We need to work closely, concertedly and jointly at all levels on both our efforts to improve internal dog attack risk controls and in the wider political arena to
achieve new effective UK wide Dangerous Dogs Laws, controls, penalties and better enforcement.




I look forward to further meetings with the Chairman and others in Royal Mail group HQ to progress this further.




Yours Sincerely


Dave Joyce
CWU National Health, Safety & Environment Officer