Urgent Call For Responses To Dangerous Dogs Consultation

Yesterday, 11th June 2012, CWU issued an urgent call for all those concerned about dangerous dogs and the total inaction by the government and u-turns on Cameron’s pledge to legislate; to respond to the consultation by the closing date this Friday, 15th June.

CWU’s Dave Joyce who has spearheaded the CWU Bites Back Dangerous Dogs campaign, has written to all the union’s branches, and placed a major article on the issues on the union’s national website encouraging branches and members to send in their views on dangerous dogs laws to a government consultation before the closing date of 15th June, which is this Friday.

In particular, members who have experienced a dog attack are encouraged to write in a personal capacity to help demonstrate the large number of victims and range of incidents endured by victims every year.

You can contribute to the consultation, which is being run by Defra, by taking part in an online survey, by e-mail or by post (address below). It only need take a couple of minutes and you could have a direct impact on new laws so please act now!

CWU health and safety officer Dave Joyce said:

"I'm appealing to all members to respond in writing to the consultation, and take this golden opportunity to influence the government on the massive problem of dangerous dogs.

We really need people to take a few short minutes to give their opinions to force the government to change the law for the better.

You can use our campaign points to make it easier and quicker. Don't forget to get as many of your colleagues, friends, and family to respond to the Defra consultation which closes this month."

Key issues:

(a) Extend the law to private property both inside and outside in order to close the loophole whereby 70% of attacks on postal workers take place on private property where owners are immune from prosecution

(b) Compulsory microchipping of all dogs within a year of the new legislation being introduced in order to better trace owners and link them to the dog

(c) Government needs to introduce Dog Control Notices as a preventative tool for police officers and dog wardens to deal with menacing dogs before attacks take place.

(d) That the government introduce compulsory third party insurance or alternative suitable injury compensation arrangements, higher criminal compensation orders and that the Ministry of Justice must not abolish Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme (CICS) payments for dog attack victims in cases of irresponsible ownership.

There is an online survey here

You don't have to complete every question but please do complete the sections about compulsory microchipping and extending the law to private property as CWU believes these are crucial to help improve responsible dog ownership and better protect victims of attacks.

Or you can e-mail the consultation team on:

animalwelfare.consultations@defra.gsi.gov.uk

Or send your letters to:

Defra - Dangerous Dogs Team
Animal Welfare
Area 8B,
9 Millbank
c/o 17 Smith Square
London
SW1P 3JR

Source: CWU