Reform of Dangerous Dogs Act a ‘no-brainer’

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The Communication Workers’ Union (CWU) has welcomed Huw Irranca-Davies MP’s call for the government to crack down on irresponsible dog ownership.

The CWU expressed support for Irranca-Davies’ comments published on Tuesday 14th February in the Guardian Online. In his comments, he made a strong case for the government to urgently reform the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act in order to tackle an alarming rise in recorded dog attacks.

In the last four years, eight people have been killed by dogs – six of them children – whilst a staggering 197 people have been seriously injured as a result of canine attacks. CWU also acknowledges that women and postmen are particularly vulnerable.

Irranca-Davies stated: “Six thousand postal workers are injured by dogs every year and an increasing number of horses and their riders are being attacked.”

In his comments he suggested various amendments to the act which were wide-ranging in focus. These included tackling irresponsible ownership, extending the law to cover private property, and introducing Dog Control Notices. It may also be necessary to consider the compulsory microchipping of dogs.

Irranca-Davies also highlighted complacency among ministers at Defra in tackling the issue, despite its severity in England and Wales. In comparison both the Northern Ireland assembly and the Scottish Parliament have taken firm action to prevent dog-related incidents.

He said this showed “that a government that really wants to can act decisively on this issue”.

CWU general secretary Billy Hayes expressed his support for Irranca-Davies and praised him for addressing the “heart of the problem – inaction by government to take this issue seriously”.

Hayes said: “Thousands of people, of all ages, are being attacked by dogs every year as irresponsible dog ownership appears to be on the rise.” He argued that “this should be a no-brainer for the government”.

However, whilst there is cross-party support for reform of the Dangerous Dogs Act among politicians, it is clear that very little has been done.

Hayes acknowledged that “nothing has happened since the consultation back in June 2010. Action is urgently needed”.

The Communication Workers’ Unionis the biggest union for the communications industry in the UK. To find out more about CWU’s campaign to raise awareness of irresponsible dog ownership, visit Bite Back Campaign.