Time for coalition government to end delays and introduce new Dangerous Dogs controls as yet another Toddler is savagely mauled says Postal Workers Union who’s members suffer 6000 attacks a year.!
Whilst thousand celebrated the Jubilee bank-holiday weekend, the sad news arrives of yet another toddler being savagely mauled by a dangerously out of control dog in a Swindon garden due to irresponsible dog ownership.
Communication Workers Union National Health and Safety Officer Dave Joyce has been spearheading the Union’s “Bite-Back” Campaign since 2008 for new Dangerous Dogs Laws in the UK, because 6000 Postmen and Women are attacked by dogs every year.
Dave said “Yet again we hear the tragic news of another child victim of a dangerous dog attack caused by an irresponsible owner. This again sends a clear message to government that unless legislation and enforcement is toughened up, our streets, gardens and public parks are not safe from the menace of dangerous dogs and there will be more attacks like this one. I said the same in January when a little six-year old girl was attacked in a Chingford park and had an ear ripped off.
Two Postmen were nearly killed in dog attacks in Sheffield and Cambridge and 6000 Postal workers are attacked every year whilst delivering the country’s daily post. Last month, a Bristol Postwoman nearly had her forearm torn off in an attack in the Kingswood area.
Dave Joyce added “We’ve been campaigning and lobbying for changes to the current law because it just doesn’t go far enough to tackle the issue. The public agree that the current law does not provide adequate protection. Our campaign has gained the support of both the Scottish Government and the Northern Ireland government who changed the law in 2011. We want the Westminster government to stop shilly-shallying and act now. We want increased Police and Dog Warden powers, compulsory microchipping, Dog Control Notices introduced, better enforcement and stiffer court penalties and the most importantly the Law must be extended to cover attacks on private land where 70% of attacks on Postal workers occur but irresponsible owners are immune from prosecution. More and more of us are becoming aware of this growing menace blighting our country in urban and suburban areas. The government needs to focus attention on tackling this problem now because we’ve had too many delays!”
The Communication Workers Union Campaign, has widespread support from animal charities like the RSPCA, Dogs Trust, Blue Cross, Battersea Dogs Home, Kennel Club as well as the Police Federation, Chief Police Officers, Royal College of Nursing, the Vets national bodies, Dog Warden Association and Major Employers like Royal Mail and BT.
In a personal April 2010 letter to Mr Joyce, 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 at the General Election whilst both the Scottish Government and Northern Ireland Government’s have both changed the Law to crack down on irresponsible dog owners.
Mr Joyce concluded “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 forworkers, children and the public”.
“Apparently this dog bit a Police Officer last year – If the government had introduced Dog Control Notices (DCNs) as we have been asking for – this tragedy may never have happened” said Dave.
Defra undertook a public consultation 2-years ago on proposals to change the dangerous dogs laws. After 2 years and a much awaited announcement Defra announced another consultation which the CWU sees as more unnecessary delays. 11,500 people recently signed a CWU petition.
