LTB 483/13 Sign up for action on Dangerous Dogs

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LTB 483/13 - Sign up for action on Dangerous Dogs - 18 Killed in Dog Attacks in the UK - CWU 'Bite-Back' Campaign

No. 483 /13
Ref P18
Date: 11 July 2013


To: All Branches



Dear Colleague


Sign up for action on Dangerous Dogs - 18 Killed in Dog Attacks in the UK - CWU 'Bite-Back' Campaign


After 5 years of campaigning through the CWU 'Bite-Back' Campaign, on 9th May the UK Government introduced the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill 2013-14, Section 7 makes provision amending the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, extending the law to private property - our central objective.


We also want new preventative 'Dog Control Notices' included in the Bill which is now being debated in the House of Commons. Amendments to the Bill will be voted on as the bill makes its way through the Houses of Parliament and we are actively involved in lobbying and in meetings, seminars, debates with Ministers, Shadow Ministers, Civil Servants and MPs campaigning continually in the Houses of Parliament.


Following two recent dog attack deaths in the Merseyside, Liverpool and Bolton area - the tragic death of Jade Lomas Anderson in Bolton and Clifford Clarke in Liverpool recently - Liverpool MP Luciana Berger and Bolton MP Julie Hilling (both of whom have been working with the CWU, supporting our campaign) have put together a petition calling on the government to take action on Dangerous Dogs, demanding that the government include 'specific preventative measures - 'Dog Control Notices' (DCNs) in the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill.


The petition will be presented next week in the House of Commons, by ten Labour MPs, who with others who have added their names to an amendment to the Bill which focuses on preventing dog attacks from happening in the first place by introducing DCNs. The petition is a welcome addition to the campaign to put pressure on government, and keep up the momentum in doing all we can to make sure they listen.


The petition wording is as follows


Declares Eighteen people, children and adults have been killed by dogs in the UK, and that 6,000 admissions to hospital are caused by dog attacks each year leaving many victims scarred for life; notes that the introduction of Dog Control Notices is supported by many organisations including the Kennel Club, the Dogs Trust, RSPCA, Royal College of Nursing, British Veterinary Association and the Communications Workers Union; and believes that the Government’s current proposals on dangerous dogs do not go far enough. The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons
urges the Government to amend the law to cover attacks on people and animals on both private and public property, to enforce Dog Control Orders, to introduce Dog Control Notices giving the authorities the power to intervene, to introduce the compulsory micro-chipping of all dogs and to promote responsible dog ownership, including training owners and dogs.




We need urgent action on this issue. If you would like your name added to the petition and can get others to sign in the short time available - sign up at this link: http://www.lucianaberger.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Yours Sincerely
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer