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Home> | Health & Wellbeing | >General Health & Wellbeing | >Pressure mounts for dangerous dogs law change |
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Pressure mounts for dangerous dogs law change
23 January 2013
Frustrated by the Government's slow response to calls for changes to laws concerning dangerous dogs,a group of organisations has launched a petition calling for urgent action. Antonia Molloy reports on how dangerous dogs are now a serious occupational hazard for some workers and discusses what can and is being done
Frustrated by the Government's slow response to calls for changes to laws concerning dangerous dogs,a group of organisations has launched a petition calling for urgent action. Antonia Molloy reports on how dangerous dogs are now a serious occupational hazard for some workers and discusses what can and is being done
In 2008 postman Keith Davies was delivering mail in a quiet lane in Cambridgeshire, when he was ferociously set upon by two Rottweilers, almost losing one of his arms in the attack. Dangerous dogs are an occupational hazard for many workers in the UK, in particular police officers, dog handlers and postal workers.
The damage inflicted by large-jawed dogs, such as Pitbull Terriers and Rottweilers, can be severe and life-changing, resulting in torn muscles and crushed bones.
Furthermore, a loophole in the Dangerous Dogs Act of 1991 means that owners whose dogs cause threat or injury, only face legal prosecution if incidents occur in a public place. Resultantly, many workers, who are required to enter private premises in their line of work, are left vulnerable by the current law. Who is at risk?
Anyone working in the community, or entering unknown territory could be at risk from dangerous dogs, but particularly notable incidents have been recorded in the police and postal workers professions. Whether employees work directly with dogs, or come across them indirectly via their line of work, the potential for serious injury is ever present. Dangerous dogs are an indirect occupational hazard for postal workers.
According to the Communication Workers Union (CWU), some 6,000 postal workers are attacked by domestic pets each year. However, around 70 per cent of these incidents occur on private property, meaning that victims are unprotected by the law.
In the case of Keith Davies, owner Robert Stewart escaped prosecution because the event took place on private property. Police officers and dog handlers expect to come across dangerous dogs on a daily basis, so it is vital that they are equipped to face the dangers of animal violence. Examples of police officers being attacked are numerous. In 2010, for example, the Telegraph reported that a police officer was attacked by two Pitbulls, suffering 15 bites to his chest, face and arms, during an operation to make an arrest in south east London.
The CWU, supported by the Police Federation and others launched its “Bite- Back†Campaign in 2008, aiming to force the government to bring about a change in legislation, which will result in more comprehensive dog laws.
David Joyce, the union's national health, safety and environment officer, says: "It's outrageous that hard-working and conscientious people, providing a whole range of vital public services have been, effectively, treated the same as criminal trespassers by the law".
Defra subsequently launched a public consultation on potential changes to the law in 2010 and Prime Minister David Cameron wrote to David Joyce last year, promising to bring in the necessary legislation. However there has still been no change in the law which has spurred the CWU and others to launch a petition in November of this year calling on the Government to bring forward new legislation in the Queen's speech. The petition seeks to bring about long-term change that will guarantee the safety of workers who come into contact with dangerous dogs, with particular emphasis placed on the necessity of legislation being extended to cover incidents that occur on both public and private property. If the e-petition gets over 100, 000 signatures then the issue has to be debated in the House of Commons. The petition can be signed at: http://epetitions. direct.gov.uk/petitions/22631 What can be done to protect workers?
While there are serious doubts over the adequacy of the current law, many employers may ask what they can do to protect their workers. There are currently a number of products available aimed at protecting workers from dangerous dogs. These include the PestBye Advanced Portable Sonic Dog Repeller and the Dog Dazer II Ultrasonic Dog Deterrent, both of which work by emitting a high frequency sound that only dogs can hear. The Royal Mail has also equipped postal workers with peppermint spray to deter dogs.
More recently, Polyco collaborated with Police Dog Handling Units across the UK to develop the Pitbull Sleeve and Shield. After attending a trade fair for the emergency services, Polyco discovered that Police Dog Handling Units felt that their current kits were not sufficient to protect them from doginflicted injury. Working with a police unit in Cheshire, Polyco developed a solution that would protect those dealing with potentially dangerous animals, while still allowing them flexibility and dexterity in their work. The Pitbull Sleeve and Shield creates a physical barrier between the wearer and the dog, whilst distributing the force inflicted if the worker is bitten.
The sleeve, which covers the entire lower arm, consists of a layer of thick padding against the skin as well as a polycarbonate layer, held together in a fabric matrix. The metallic shield is secured to the wrist and palm with Velcro straps, providing protection to the front and sides of the hand, whilst leaving the fingers to move freely. For more information, see: www.polyco.co.uk/, www.pestbye.com/, www.dazer.com/dog-deterrent Antonia Molloy is a freelance journalist.
In 2008 postman Keith Davies was delivering mail in a quiet lane in Cambridgeshire, when he was ferociously set upon by two Rottweilers, almost losing one of his arms in the attack. Dangerous dogs are an occupational hazard for many workers in the UK, in particular police officers, dog handlers and postal workers.
The damage inflicted by large-jawed dogs, such as Pitbull Terriers and Rottweilers, can be severe and life-changing, resulting in torn muscles and crushed bones.
Furthermore, a loophole in the Dangerous Dogs Act of 1991 means that owners whose dogs cause threat or injury, only face legal prosecution if incidents occur in a public place. Resultantly, many workers, who are required to enter private premises in their line of work, are left vulnerable by the current law. Who is at risk?
Anyone working in the community, or entering unknown territory could be at risk from dangerous dogs, but particularly notable incidents have been recorded in the police and postal workers professions. Whether employees work directly with dogs, or come across them indirectly via their line of work, the potential for serious injury is ever present. Dangerous dogs are an indirect occupational hazard for postal workers.
According to the Communication Workers Union (CWU), some 6,000 postal workers are attacked by domestic pets each year. However, around 70 per cent of these incidents occur on private property, meaning that victims are unprotected by the law.
In the case of Keith Davies, owner Robert Stewart escaped prosecution because the event took place on private property. Police officers and dog handlers expect to come across dangerous dogs on a daily basis, so it is vital that they are equipped to face the dangers of animal violence. Examples of police officers being attacked are numerous. In 2010, for example, the Telegraph reported that a police officer was attacked by two Pitbulls, suffering 15 bites to his chest, face and arms, during an operation to make an arrest in south east London.
The CWU, supported by the Police Federation and others launched its “Bite- Back†Campaign in 2008, aiming to force the government to bring about a change in legislation, which will result in more comprehensive dog laws.
David Joyce, the union's national health, safety and environment officer, says: "It's outrageous that hard-working and conscientious people, providing a whole range of vital public services have been, effectively, treated the same as criminal trespassers by the law".
Defra subsequently launched a public consultation on potential changes to the law in 2010 and Prime Minister David Cameron wrote to David Joyce last year, promising to bring in the necessary legislation. However there has still been no change in the law which has spurred the CWU and others to launch a petition in November of this year calling on the Government to bring forward new legislation in the Queen's speech. The petition seeks to bring about long-term change that will guarantee the safety of workers who come into contact with dangerous dogs, with particular emphasis placed on the necessity of legislation being extended to cover incidents that occur on both public and private property. If the e-petition gets over 100, 000 signatures then the issue has to be debated in the House of Commons. The petition can be signed at: http://epetitions. direct.gov.uk/petitions/22631 What can be done to protect workers?
While there are serious doubts over the adequacy of the current law, many employers may ask what they can do to protect their workers. There are currently a number of products available aimed at protecting workers from dangerous dogs. These include the PestBye Advanced Portable Sonic Dog Repeller and the Dog Dazer II Ultrasonic Dog Deterrent, both of which work by emitting a high frequency sound that only dogs can hear. The Royal Mail has also equipped postal workers with peppermint spray to deter dogs.
More recently, Polyco collaborated with Police Dog Handling Units across the UK to develop the Pitbull Sleeve and Shield. After attending a trade fair for the emergency services, Polyco discovered that Police Dog Handling Units felt that their current kits were not sufficient to protect them from doginflicted injury. Working with a police unit in Cheshire, Polyco developed a solution that would protect those dealing with potentially dangerous animals, while still allowing them flexibility and dexterity in their work. The Pitbull Sleeve and Shield creates a physical barrier between the wearer and the dog, whilst distributing the force inflicted if the worker is bitten.
The sleeve, which covers the entire lower arm, consists of a layer of thick padding against the skin as well as a polycarbonate layer, held together in a fabric matrix. The metallic shield is secured to the wrist and palm with Velcro straps, providing protection to the front and sides of the hand, whilst leaving the fingers to move freely. For more information, see: www.polyco.co.uk/, www.pestbye.com/, www.dazer.com/dog-deterrent Antonia Molloy is a freelance journalist.
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