Labour Research September 2011

Health & Safety Matters

Dog controls demanded

The CWU communications workers’ union is maintaining pressure on the coalition government, through its Bite back campaign, in its bid to secure a Dangerous Dogs Act for the whole of the UK.

Dave Joyce, the CWU’s health, safety and environment officer, has written to the relevant minister — James Paice, secretary of state for the Department for Food and Rural Affairs.

Joyce called on the coalition government to stop stalling and to address the issue of attacks by dogs which occur on private property. He pointed out that it is long overdue that the “ineffective mish-mash of useless laws” is replaced with “a consolidated, modernised, updated law which is effective, easy to understand and enforce”.

Before becoming prime minister, David Cameron claimed, in a letter to the CWU, to support the introduction of legislation, but his words haven’t been matched by action.

In contrast, the Scottish Parliament and Northern Ireland Assembly are way ahead of the rest of the UK, having already introduced the necessary legislation.