CWU And Royal Mail Dog Awareness Week Begins

Today (Monday 29th June) marks the start of the CWU and Royal Mail Dog Awareness Week, which will see TV presenter and Battersea Dogs & Cats Home Ambassador Paul O’Grady backing the annual Dog Awareness Week, which runs from 29th June to 4th July 2015 to raise awareness of the issue of dog attacks and encourage responsible dog ownership.

The number of attacks on average rise by over a quarter during the school holidays; and each day around eight postmen and women are attacked by dogs across the UK.

Speaking at the start of the campaign Dave Joyce, the CWU’s National Health and Safety Officer, said:

“Carelessness by dog owners can cause postal workers serious problems if they don't think about controlling their animals when letters and parcels are being delivered.

Over 15,000 postal workers have been attacked by dogs over the last five years for simply doing their jobs. Eight postmen and women are attacked every day in fact – they are the largest group of dog attack victims in the UK."

Dog Awareness Week is a fantastic way to highlight these issues to dog owners and we are pleased that it is so widely supported by animal welfare organisations, police, vets, dog behaviourists and trainers alike.

It is very worrying that the number of dog attacks remains so high despite the efforts of Royal Mail and the CWU locally and nationally.

We are jointly making real efforts to bring down the number of attacks but we can only do that with the support of dog owners who are our daily customers.

It is so important for the safety of all postmen and women that dog owners ensure their animals are secure, particularly if opening the door to sign for a parcel or letter. Owners should put their dog in another room before opening the door. If it's in the back garden, ensure it is contained and can't get round to the front of the house. Customers can fit a letterbox cage to protect their mail and postmen's fingers or fit a secure outside mail box on the edge of their property to avoid any confrontations. All these things help but owners should be aware that it's now a criminal offence if their dog attacks the postman or woman on their private property.

70% of dog attacks on Postal Workers occur on the dog owners private property."

Dave concluded by referring to changes in law brought about by the CWU with it's campaign partners:

“The change in the law last year now means there will be tougher penalties for irresponsible dog owners, including prison sentences, large fines, destruction orders and victim compensation. We welcome this as for too long, postal workers who offer a first class service have been subjected to reckless dog ownership, leaving them vulnerable at work and unprotected when a dog attack occurred.”

Royal Mail welcomed the changes to the Dangerous Dog Act that came into force in May 2014. Legislation now ensures our postmen and women have legal protection over attacks by dogs when they enter private property, including a customer’s garden. Tougher penalties will also be imposed for irresponsible dog owners.

Previously, legal protection over attacks by dogs did not extend ‘beyond the garden gate’. This legal loophole was a particular issue for postmen and women, who each visit hundreds of private addresses every day on their delivery rounds.

The legal loophole in England and Wales was highlighted in an independent report published in November 2012, commissioned by Royal Mail Group’s Chairman Donald Brydon. The report set out the recommendations from an inquiry into dog attacks on postal workers, led by former High Court Judge Sir Gordon Langley.

The law had already changed in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Dave has issued a Letter To all CWU branches (LTB407/15) which includes several attachments as well as giving details of the week's events. You can download the LTB in full from this website here

Source: CWU

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