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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Postal workers' union to urge government action on dangerous dogs | Postal workers' union to urge government action on dangerous dogs |
| (7 months later) | |
| The postal workers' trade union will today accuse the government of endangering lives by failing to take action on dangerous dogs. | The postal workers' trade union will today accuse the government of endangering lives by failing to take action on dangerous dogs. |
| The Communication Workers Union (CWU) will tell MPs that laws have been changed in Scotland and Northern Ireland, with legislation planned in Wales later this year. | The Communication Workers Union (CWU) will tell MPs that laws have been changed in Scotland and Northern Ireland, with legislation planned in Wales later this year. |
| But, according to the union, the government has been "dragging its feet" in England, despite an increase in savage dog attacks. | But, according to the union, the government has been "dragging its feet" in England, despite an increase in savage dog attacks. |
| The CWU has pointed out that most dog attacks on postal workers take place on private property, where the law does not apply. | The CWU has pointed out that most dog attacks on postal workers take place on private property, where the law does not apply. |
| Dave Joyce, the union's safety officer, will tell the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs select committee that urgent action is needed to rescue "failing" laws on dogs. | Dave Joyce, the union's safety officer, will tell the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs select committee that urgent action is needed to rescue "failing" laws on dogs. |
| He said: "We want a package of better laws – extended to private property, judging a dog's behaviour not just breed, and bringing in compulsory microchipping. | He said: "We want a package of better laws – extended to private property, judging a dog's behaviour not just breed, and bringing in compulsory microchipping. |
| "We also need better enforcement of these laws, by giving more power and support to police and dog wardens. These changes would deal with offences and act as a deterrent, and help to change the behaviour of dog owners. | "We also need better enforcement of these laws, by giving more power and support to police and dog wardens. These changes would deal with offences and act as a deterrent, and help to change the behaviour of dog owners. |
| "Finally, we're very concerned about changes to the criminal injuries compensation scheme which will exclude dog-attack victims from receiving compensation. | "Finally, we're very concerned about changes to the criminal injuries compensation scheme which will exclude dog-attack victims from receiving compensation. |
| "These most vulnerable people have nowhere else to turn, since the scheme only caters for those who cannot get compensation through prosecution – because the dog owner is insolvent for example – and this cut will leave injured victims struggling to cope." | "These most vulnerable people have nowhere else to turn, since the scheme only caters for those who cannot get compensation through prosecution – because the dog owner is insolvent for example – and this cut will leave injured victims struggling to cope." |
| The CWU estimated that up to 5,000 postal workers and 400 telecom engineers are attacked by dogs each year. | The CWU estimated that up to 5,000 postal workers and 400 telecom engineers are attacked by dogs each year. |
| Officials complained that the government had merely launched a consultation earlier this year on dangerous dogs laws, rather than taking firmer action. | Officials complained that the government had merely launched a consultation earlier this year on dangerous dogs laws, rather than taking firmer action. |
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