CWU welcomes consultation on dangerous dogs

9 March 2010

The Communication Workers Union today (Tuesday) welcomes the launch of a government consultation aimed at strengthening the Dangerous Dogs Act.

The consultation is backed by two of the UK's most senior Cabinet figures, home secretary Alan Johnson and environment secretary Hilary Benn.

Billy Hayes, CWU general secretary, said: "This is a long-overdue, but extremely welcome step.

"We've been calling for changes to the law for several years now following some terrible dog attacks on postal workers. Many of our suggestions – including extending protection to private land and issuing control notices or 'dog ASBOs' - are now fully reflected in this consultation.

"Our members - postwomen and postmen in particular, but also telecoms engineers on domestic calls - are regularly bitten by dogs that have been either left unattended or are simply not under control.

"Thousands of our members are attacked at work every year. Alarmingly, over the past year dog attacks have risen by 20 per cent and, for these workers, there is often no legal redress.

"This reform cannot come soon enough."

The CWU will be participating in this consultation and will, once again, urge the government to tighten up the law as soon as possible.

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