'2015 Vet Report' on Territorial Dog Aggression

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Letter to Branches


No. 721/15
Ref: P18/15
Date: 16 November 2015


To: All Branches

Dear Colleagues

'2015 Vet Report' on Territorial Dog Aggression To Be Published at the Olympia London Vet Show on 19th November 2015

A major report on Dog Aggression will be published on 19th November which the CWU have been involved with in relation to being interviewed and agreeing a quote that forms part of the report.
 
Dr Huw Stacey BVetMed DipAS(CABC) MRCVS Head of Clinical Services at the ‘The Pets at Home Veterinary Group’ and Editor of the Report approached CWU requesting our participation to which we agreed.
 
The Pets at Home Veterinary Group, made up of ‘Vets4Pets’ and ‘Companion Care’ produce “The Vet Report” which is a series of annual publications, aimed at raising understanding and awareness of current affairs in pet health amongst pet owners and the general public.
 
Through their 350 Vet surgeries and also their ‘Pets at Home VIP club’, The 'Vet Report' can reach more than three million pet owners, so it gives the potential opportunity to make real changes to pet owner perceptions and behaviours. 

It was decided that canine territorial aggression would be the topic featured in the 2015 Vet Report, in particular highlighting the problem that it presents to postmen and women.  As well as the printed and online versions of the Vet Report the publishers are also looking to make a separate feature either as a video or infographic that directs people to the article itself.
 
A canine behaviourist will be involved in authoring the Report feature article.
 
The Vet Report is being launched at the London Vet Show at Olympia on 19th November at 4pm. The organisers have invited the media to attend the event and for post launch interviews, with further media interviews planned the following day 20th November.
National Health and Safety Officer Dave Joyce will participate in the launch event.
 
The organisers have been progressing things with the broadcast media for interviews at The Vet Show about Territorial Dog Aggression and that will go out on Breakfast News TV – i.e. Sky Sunrise and BBC Breakfast.
 
The Organisers have requested 10 Case Studies, in different parts of the country – Dog Attack Victims prepared to talk to the media. Regional Health and Safety Forum Secretaries have been invited to suggest volunteers. If you have any volunteers please forward contact details to the Health, Safety & Environment Department at CWU HQ.

The 2015 Vet Report:-

The UK sees approximately eight postal workers attacked by dogs every day.


Since the Dangerous Dog Act changed its laws in 2014, prosecutions of dog owners by Royal Mail have increased by 62%.

The 2015 Vet Report explores and discusses territorial aggression, which is the cause of many dog attacks, to help combat the issue.

As the popularity of online shopping and ‘signed for’ deliveries continues to grow, it means more postal workers are at risk of coming into direct contact with dogs who may show signs of territorial aggression.

Approximately eight postal workers are attacked by dogs every day in the UK, amounting to 30,000 attacks in seven years. What’s more, an estimated 200,000 people are said to be bitten by dogs every year, but many are not reported as these attacks predominantly happen on the dog owner’s property.

This year’s annual Vet Report from Vets4Pets explores and discusses this behaviour, which is known as ‘territorial aggression’, and looks at how to combat the issue.

traget media.jpg

Yours sincerely
 


Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer