CWU Says Change Dog Laws Now After Girl Mauled

The Communication Workers Union welcomes the arrest and charging today (Monday) of the owner of a dangerous dog which attacked a six year old girl on Saturday. CWU represents postal workers and telecom engineers who suffer more than 6,000 dog attacks each year and the union is again appealing to government to change outdated dogs laws. If this attack had happened on private land the chance of a prosecution would have been slim leaving thousands of dog attack victims vulnerable.

CWU general secretary Billy Hayes said: “How many more attacks will take place before the government acts? Yet again we hear the tragic news of another child victim of a dangerous dog attack caused by an irresponsible owner. Unless legislation and enforcement is toughened up, our streets and public parks are not safe from the menace of dangerous dogs and there will be more attacks like this one.

“We desperately need new dogs laws to prevent attacks, promote responsible dog ownership and hold owners of dangerous dogs to account when attacks take place. Thousands of dog attack victims are currently not protected by the law including many of our members who have to work on private property to deliver the mail or install broadband lines.”

CWU has been campaigning for new dangerous dogs laws in the UK since 2008 when postman Paul Coleman was nearly killed by a vicious dog attack in Sheffield. 6,000 postal workers are attacked every year while delivering the country's post. Two serious attacks hospitalised postmen in Finchley and Norwich on Thursday and Friday last week, before news of the Chingford Toddler attack on Saturday.

CWU health and safety officer Dave Joyce added: "The current law just doesn’t go far enough to tackle the issue of dangerous dogs. Our campaign has gained the support of both the Scottish Government and the Northern Ireland government who changed the law in 2011.

“We want Westminster to stop shilly-shallying and act now. David Cameron keeps talking about the 'Monster of Health and Safety' when he ought to start talking about the 'Monster Dangerous Dogs’ blighting our society with no effective safety for workers, children and the public."

CWU wants:

• Extend the law to cover attacks on private land where 70% of attacks on postal workers occur but irresponsible owners are immune from prosecution
• Increased police and dog warden powers
• Compulsory microchipping
• Introduction of Dog Control Notices
• Better enforcement
• Stiffer court penalties

In an April 2010 letter, Prime Minister David Cameron gave the CWU an assurance he supported their campaign for tougher Dangerous Dogs Laws but has so far failed to bring in the changes promised. Both the Scottish Government and Northern Ireland Government have changed the law to crack down on irresponsible dog owners.

The CWU and other organisations have a No 10 Downing Street petition calling for Government action on irresponsible dog ownership here

CWU is campaigning for law changes with organisations including: RSPCA, Dogs Trust, Blue Cross, Battersea Dogs Home, Kennel Club, Police Federation, Association of Chief Police Officers, Royal College of Nursing, vets national bodies, Dog Warden Association, Royal Mail and BT.

Source: CWU

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