Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill

Written evidence from the Communication Workers Union (ASB 11)

Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill - Committee Stage - Part 7, Sections 98 and 99 Dangerous Dogs - Oral Evidence

This is to inform you that the CWU is prepared to give oral evidence to the House of Commons Committee on the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill.

As the organisation that represents the largest number of Dog Attack victims in the UK, the CWU is the number 1 stakeholder as far as Part 7 of the Bill is concerned and the HoC Committee will no doubt wish to hear from the CWU as we have such a special interest and expertise which we would like the Committee to be aware.

17 People have been killed in Dog Attacks in the UK, 10 Children and 7 Adults. Fatal attacks are increasing and happening more frequently. 2 this year already. 250,000 people are attacked by dogs every year in the UK. 5,000 Postal Workers are attacked every year. 70% of those attacks are on Private Property and the owners got off 'scot-free' because the Law doesn't apply on private property. With Parcel traffic rapidly increasing, the risk of attacks will increase. The cost to the NHS and Taxpayer of Dog Attacks is £9.5 Million a year. This demonstrates the growing and 'out of control' problem with dog control in the UK.

As you will probably know the CWU has been actively engaged in campaigning, lobbying and in discussions with all governments of the UK since 2008 and is keen to see England and Wales introduce revised Dangerous Dogs Legislation. The CWU has already convinced the Scottish and Northern Ireland governments to make such changes. CWU also convinced the Wales Government to introduce the Control of Dogs (Wales) Bill which has been suspended pending the outcome of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill which extends to Wales. We are keen to see England and Wales introduce new Dangerous Dogs Legislation at the earliest opportunity.

The very reason that the new Dangerous Dogs Legislation is before the Houses of Parliament is due largely to the Communication Workers Union's "Bite-Back" Campaign. The CWU have spearheaded a broad coalition of organisations (including RSPCA, Dogs Trust, Blue Cross, Battersea Dogs Home, PDSA, BVA, ACPO, Police Fed, RCN, Royal Mail, BT, TUC and many others) calling for Dog Control Law changed.

June 2013