CWU Campaigns

CWU Bite-Back Campaign

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Following a series of dreadful attacks by dogs on Communication Workers Union members in recent times, including two of the worst ever attacks recorded (Sheffield and Cambridge) the CWU launched its Bite-Back campaign in 2008.

The campaign calls for the law to be modernised and made effective in order to hold to account irresponsible, careless and reckless owners of vicious dogs.

The CWU want major changes to current legislation relating to dangerous dogs in order that:

dangerous dog
  • Instead of applying only to attacks that take place in public, the law needs to make attacks on private property a criminal offence;
  • Police and Dog Wardens are given the power to issue Dog ASBOs or 'control orders' on owners of dogs that are a threat and have acted aggressively or dangerously without provocation before an attack takes place;
  • The Police enforce the law more stringently;
  • The Courts hand down realistic penalties to irresponsible dangerous dog owners that cause injury or death.

Latest statistics available show that:

  • 6,000 postal workers get attacked each year
  • About half a million people get bitten or attacked each year.

Despite these shocking figures there are less than 650 successful Dangerous Dog Act convictions annually with most owners found guilty receiving just a paltry sentence. This is partly due to the fact that the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act does not apply on private property and has been totally ineffective in preventing or reducing the number of dog attacks on postal delivery workers.

The CWU Bite-Back campaign has already been successful in getting Defra and the Association of Chief Police Officers to issue new guidance on enforcing existing laws. Another success is our initiation of the placement of Bills to change the Law in Scotland and Northern Ireland, and the recent launch of two Private Members Bills at Westminster, along with Angela Smith MP's Ten Minute Rule Bill.

We now have the support of a number of organisations such as the RSPCA and the Dogs Trust and work closely with the Metropolitan Police's Dangerous Dogs Advisory Group.