Health and Safety

Dave Joyce, CWU National Health, Safety and Environment Officer, has been campaigning on this issue because the issue never subsides. He says something has to be done to curb the number of severe dog attacks on our Royal Mail delivery members otherwise it will just continue and we will see more members suffering physical injury and having their mental health destroyed by traumatic incidents. The most important thing is that workers are able to go home at the end of their day as fit and healthy as when they arrived for work in the morning.

The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 contains powers enabling both local authorities and the police to deal with dangerous dogs as does the Dogs Act 1871. Under the law, Local Authorities and Borough Councils have the power to intervene in most cases where it is believed that the public have been placed at risk by a dog and in all cases where an actual attack has occurred. Dangerous dogs can either be reported directly to the Police or to the Local Authority or Borough Council; both are empowered to take action against the dog and its owner. Even if no attack has taken place a dog can still be considered a threat, particularly if it has been left in a situation where it could attack the public. This would also include dogs located on private land or in proximity to areas of public use.

The CWU strongly believes that specifically in the case of Dogs, the keepers of all animals should bear full and strict liability for any harm or damage caused by their animals. The UK Dog Population is around 7.5 Million and there is a growing number of dog attacks, aggressive dogs and "status dogs" used as weapons. The CWU view is that current legislation fails to protect Postal Workers and other public service and utilities workers plus members of the public and allows irresponsible, reckless and uninsured owners to escape both criminal and civil liability.