Parcel delivery workers to benefit if campaign to give greater protection against dangerous dogs succeeds

Parcel delivery workers to benefit if campaign to give greater protection against dangerous dogs succeeds

The main union representing parcel delivery workers, and the governing body for nurses have united to launch a new campaign seeking legal redress against the owners of dangerous dogs which attack them while they are working.

The Communication Workers' Union (CWU) claims that existing powers under the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act are failing to halt the rising trend of dog attacks on postage and parcel delivery staff. Dave Joyce, the union's national health, safety and environment officer, said both his members, and their colleagues in the Royal College of Nursing, urgently needed better protection to help stem the increase. As the law stands, anyone carrying out their work on private premises has no right to claim compensation from the owner or occupier of those premises, if they are attacked by a dog while on that land.

The two unions are backing a campaign called Bite Back', calling for new legal powers to hold owners of dangerous dogs accountable for their pets' actions while on their own property. The current law only provides for action to be taken if an attack takes place in a public place, such as on the street. The Bite Back' campaign was launched in 2008 in response to a series of attacks on delivery workers.

As well as holding dog owners responsible for their pets' attacks, the campaign is asking for both police and dog wardens to be given the power to issue dog ASBOs' on the owners of pets who behave aggressively towards someone before an attack happens.

It also wants to see all dogs micro-chipped so that they, and their owners, can be identified. Dave Joyce added that, despite there being about 500,000 attacks every year by dogs, the Dangerous Dogs Act only results in convictions for, on average, 650 people annually.

The CWU said it was prompted to launch its campaign after two of the most serious attacks ever recorded on its members, reported to have happened in Cambridge and Sheffield. While parcel delivery and courier service workers are among those who have been attacked, health visitors, utility company staff and home helps would also benefit from the protection any new law passed as a result of the campaign would afford.

The risk of an attack by an out-of-control dog is one of the main risks home delivery company workers and other people who call at private houses as part of their work face. A recent survey by the CWU found that potential road accidents mainly affecting cyclists trips and falls all contribute to making their work risky.

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