RM/CWU National Dog Awareness Week 1 – 7 July 2024 and Message to New Labour Government:
The CWU Calls on new UK Labour government to toughen up Dog Control Law and Police Enforcement during their 2024 Annual Dog Awareness Week: Over 2,200 Postmen and Women were attacked and injured by Dogs last year. For the second year running there was a 15% increase in Dog Attacks with attacks now averaging 42 Dog Attacks a week on CWU Member Postal Workers.
Introduction:
Further to previous LTBs and letters to all Regional H&S Leads and ASRs, this is to remind all CWU Regions, Branches and Reps of the importance of the annual Royal Mail Group/CWU National Dog Awareness Week, our 12th annual campaign, which is taking place this week, Monday 1st July until Sunday 7th July.
Dog Awareness Week is the annual focal point where vitally important messages are communicated to emphasise one of the most important and growing safety risks to a large proportion and majority of CWU members.
An important fact to remember is that the campaign initiative and objectives don’t end on 7th July but continues in Royal Mail and Parcelforce throughout the year. The Union’s efforts, both internally and externally, to raise awareness of the increasing risks to members of dog attacks, to take every action and precaution possible to avoid dog attack injuries, is ongoing as we campaign to avoid our members becoming yet another victim. This work must continue.
Our important external ongoing campaign has an added dimension and after the welcome Labour victory in yesterday’s general election we have called on the new government to further strengthen Dog Control Laws, Police and Crown Prosecution Service enforcement and for the Courts to hand down sentences and penalties that fit the crime when CWU Postal Delivery Royal Mail, Parcelforce workers and BT members, fall victim to irresponsible dog owners whose failure to control and secure their animals results in the dogs inflicting injuries, pain and suffering on CWU members who are just going about their daily jobs.
As the CWU Health, Safety and Environment Department presses on with our re-launched ‘Bite-Back’ Campaign’ for better dog control laws, better police enforcement and tougher court penalties, meetings have been held in Westminster with the UK Government’s DEFRA Ministry Officials, in Scotland with the Scottish Government’s Minister for Victims and Community Safety and the Head of Safer Communities and Justice Directorate plus in Wales with the Welsh Government Minister for Rural Affairs and the Head of Animal Welfare Team and Chief Veterinary Officer.
We have again called on the new UK Government and the devolved administrations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to discuss with us what more can be done to toughen up the Dog Control Laws and improve Police enforcement and court penalties – such is our concern in the CWU.
Dave Joyce, National Health & Safety Officer, Communication Workers’ Union – Statement Dog Awareness Week 2024 and Message to the New UK Government:
The unacceptably high prevalence, scale and volume of dog attacks in the UK plus the impact on victims, which can be life changing, is nothing less than a ‘national crisis.’
Dog Attacks remain a major safety hazard and concern for postmen and women who are in the front line, as it does for the public, and the scale of the problem shouldn’t be underestimated by anyone. The incoming new UK government needs to prioritise firm action on dog control or continue to face a rapidly growing explosion in deaths and injuries. We continue to see a very concerning increase in Dog bite incidents and severe dog attacks and the steep upwards trend constitutes a growing risk to the safety and health of postal workers who serve all of the Country’s 32 million addresses daily, unlike any other workforce.
The CWU has called on the new government following yesterday’s general election that they need to take firm action on dog control law and police enforcement plus the Courts need to hand down effective sentences which are within their power but not utilised.
The CWU ‘Bite-Back’ Campaign which won major changes to the Dangerous Dogs Act in 2014, extending the law to Private Property in order to protect Postal Workers but that major change has not solved the problem! The lack of Police and Crown Prosecution Service enforcement has undermined the powerful legal changes combined with the lack of effective sentencing in cases that do reach the courts.
Too many victims are seriously injured and killed in dog attacks in the UK and it must be addressed!
The Union is having to continue to campaign for further legal changes to the DDA, tougher enforcement by the police which is currently not good enough and tougher sentencing by the courts who are failing to use their sentencing powers leading to victims being denied justice. The CWU wants to see irresponsible dog owners who fail to control and secure their animals, allowing dog attacks on Postal Workers prosecuted and handed down a sentence that fits the crime along with destruction orders, dog ownership disqualification orders, compensation orders and control orders. The Courts can hand down prison sentences of up to 5 years and/or unlimited fines for aggravated injury causing dog attack offences like those we see too often (and up to 14 years in the case of death). However, the full power of the sentences and ancillary orders available to the courts are not being fully used by Magistrates and Crown Court Judges.
30 dog attack private prosecutions taken by Royal Mail/CWU in cases in which the police refused to prosecute all ended with the dog owner being found guilty. Two cases thrown out of court one in a Magistrates Court and one in a Crown Court were taken to the Appeal Court by Royal Mail supported by the CWU and both appeals were successful in overturning the wrongful acquittals at Magistrates Court/Crown Court level.
Dog attacks remain a major safety hazard and concern for postmen and women across the UK and the scale of the problem shouldn’t be underestimated – Over 30,000 postmen and women have been attacked by dogs in the last decade! Over 80% at the front door. 42 postal workers are attacked by dogs every week, 7 every day, 2000 to 3000 every year and 1000 postmen and women have had a finger bitten off or severely injured whilst delivering the mail through the letterbox in the last 5 years. Over the last 2 years the number of recorded dog attacks rose by 15%. A year. The number of people admitted to hospital for dog bites has tripled in the last 20 years and apart from the personal costs, pain, suffering, disablement and loss of life, it costs the NHS around £75 million a year. NHS data shows that more than 10,000 people a year need in-patient hospital treatment after a dog attack, many more attend A&E. Many of those victims are postal workers.
In conclusion and summary; The CWU is calling on the Government to “toughen up the Dangerous Dogs Laws and the Police enforcement to deal with irresponsible owners and to stop the Police disposing of cases via Community Resolution Orders (CROs). Finally, we call on the Courts to hand down penalties that fit the crime when dog owners fail to control dogs that inflict atrocious injuries on postal workers who are mauled and savaged in too many cases and so deliver justice for victim postal workers.
Dog Attacks – Shocking Statistics and Headline Facts:
Dog attacks remain a major safety hazard and concern for postmen and postwomen across the UK. The CWU is very concerned about the continuing dog attack epidemic and the scale of the problem shouldn’t be underestimated – read the statics that speak for themselves: –
- 2,206 Royal Mail postmen and postwomen were attacked by dogs in the year ending 31 March 2024.
- 30,000 postmen and postwomen attacked by dogs in the last decade!
- This is a 15% increase on the previous year – (a 15% increase for the second year running).
- On average 42 delivery postal workers are attacked by dogs every week. 7 every day.
- 148% increase dog attacks causing serious and significant injury to postal workers.
- 80% of dog attacks take place at the front door, on the garden path, drive or yard.
- 390 dog bite injuries suffered through the letterbox. (1000 postmen/women have had a finger or part finger bitten off through the letterbox in the last 5 years).
- There are now approximately 13.5 million pet dogs in the UK, according to UK Pet Food’s Pet Data Report 2024.
- Animal welfare experts and Medical Experts keep warning of an epidemic of dog attacks as the number of adults admitted to hospital for dog bites has tripled in the last 20 years.
- Dog Bite hospital treatment costs the NHS around £75 million a year. (A bill footed by the taxpayer and not dog owners).
- NHS data shows that more than 10,000 people a year need hospital treatment after a dog attack.
- Alder Hay Children’s Hospital reported the number of children admitted following dog attacks had surged by 70%.
- The BMJ has reported that dog bite hospital attendances have increased 88% in the past 15 years in the UK.
- There have been 73 recorded dog attack deaths in the UK from 1981 to June 2023.
- 29 people have been mauled to death by dogs in the last three years.
The Ten Most Dangerous Postcode Areas recording the Highest Number of dog attacks on Postmen and Postwomen in 2023/24:The Ten Most Dangerous Postcode Areas recording the Highest Number of dog attacks on Postmen and Postwomen in 2023/24:Postcode Area Comments TotalPO – Portsmouth27% increase in dog attacks this year – 7 years in top 10 – equal highest area 23/24.62BT – Northern Ireland11% increase this year – has been in the top 10 areas for 12 years running.62BS – BristolEqual third highest area with 48 dog attacks.48BN – BrightonEqual third highest area with 48 dog attacks.48PL – Plymouth69% increase in dog attacks on postal workers this year. Been on the list 4 times.44NG – Nottingham14% increase this year and has been on the most dangerous is list 9 times42TN – TonbridgeTN has featured in the most dangerous list for dog attacks for the last 10 years.42GU – Guildford45% increase in dog attacks this year – has been in top ten 4 times.42S – SheffieldSheffield has been in the top ten for all 12 years of Dog Awareness Week.41EX – Exeter5% increase this year – has been in the dangerous dogs top ten list 4 times.40SN – Swindon60% increase this year.40
Key Objective Message and Advice to Postmen and Women CWU members:
We are reminding all our postmen and women members to be vigilant, cautious, keep safe and take no risks – and don’t put your fingers through the letterbox! Always follow these rules: –
- Be vigilant, keep safe, take no risks and protect yourself at all times.
- Always ere on the side of caution.
- Don’t enter properties where dogs are running loose.
- Don’t put fingers through the letterbox.
- Don’t assume a dog won’t bite as any dog can be aggressive.
- Don’t accept an owner’s word that their dog will not bite either.
- Report all dog attack incidents and near misses.
The Key Objectives of Dog Awareness Week – Message to Customers:
A key objective of Dog Awareness Week is to remind the public to at all times be aware of their legal and moral responsibilities to control their dogs and prevent dog attacks on postal workers who are providing them with a great public service.
Dog owners need to understand the often-devastating impact of dog attacks on Royal Mail postmen, postwomen and parcelforce workers and take proper measures to ensure their pets pose no threat to delivery postal workers through responsible dog ownership.
The CWU is again calling upon UK dog owners and Royal Mail/Parcelforce customers, who are dog owners, to work with us and help stop attacks by being more responsible, by keeping their animals under control when postal workers make deliveries. Simply, secure their dogs in a safe place, put them in another room before opening the door to the postman or postwoman and to fit a letterbox cage or outside mail box if their dog attacks the mail when it arrives through the front door so protecting the dog, the mail and the postal workers fingers.
The public also need to be aware that if their dog attacks a postal worker, they will be prosecuted either by the Police, Local Authority or by Royal Mail via a private prosecution under the agreement between Royal Mail and the CWU.
Top Tips for Dog Owners:
Even the most lovable dog can be a danger to postal staff. Dogs are territorial by nature and if they feel they need to protect their family, they can become unpredictable. Here’s what dog owners can do to help postman or postwoman deliver the post in safety: –
- Ensure your dog is out of the way before the postman or postwoman arrives. Place your pet in the back garden or a far-away room.
- Never open the door when your dog is behind you.
- If you have a back garden, please close off the access, in case your dog could get around to the front when the postman or postwoman calls.
- Dog attacks can happen when you’ve opened the door to sign for an item. Please keep your dog in another room before answering the door and make
sure children don’t open the door, as dogs can push by them and attack.
- Give your dog some food or a toy to occupy them while your mail is being delivered.
- Wait 10 minutes after your mail has arrived to let your pet back into your hallway. Keep everything as calm and low-key as possible.
- If your dog likes to attack your mail, consider installing a wire letter receptacle. It will protect your post, and your postman’s or postwoman’s fingers.
- If it’s not practical for you to keep your dog away from a postman or postwoman delivering your mail, please consider fitting a secure mailbox on the edge of your property.
New Leaflet Available – ‘Responsible Dog Ownership – How to Keep You, Your Dog and Visitors Safe’:
The CWU has called upon UK dog owners to be more responsible and keep their animals under control.
The CWU, Royal Mail, Parcelforce and the National Police Chief’s Council proudly launched a new joint ‘Responsible Dog Ownership – How to Keep You, Your Dog and Visitors Safe’ – Dog Control Awareness Guide/Leaflet last year and we want Reps, Branches and Regions plus Royal Mail and Parcelforce to use it to spread the word.
An electronic copy is attached which can be downloaded and printed off for local campaigning and ‘door to door’ drop initiatives in high impact dog attack problem areas.
The Health, Safety and Environment Department are very pleased with this ‘Guide Leaflet’ having achieved endorsement from the National Police Chief’s Council (NPCC). This now needs to be as widely circulated as possible.
ASRs and Reps can drop these ‘Guide Leaflets’ into local schools, local authorities, community centres, clubs and associations, dog training schools, animal and dog charities, etc.
Send the Guide Leaflet to local press, radio, community publications, newsletters, social media and websites etc. It’s aimed at dog owners and our customers, the UK public. The leaflets can be utilised in door-to-door drops, targeting high impact areas also.
Get the support of the local authority and local Police. You can drop copies into local Police stations and council offices. send them to your local MP and local councillors to raise awareness also.
If you need copies printed either organise it locally or contact the Health, Safety and Environment Department for a supply.
Blue Cross ‘Protect Your Postie.’ Webinar:
From this month, animal welfare charity Blue Cross will be offering a free online webinar called ‘Protect Your Postie.’
This intervention will be offered to customers where there is concern due to a dog’s behaviour – but an actual attack has not yet occurred.
The webinar, which lasts about an hour, will provide top tips and advice on how customers can protect postal workers who deliver to their home and includes:
- understanding why dogs may act a certain way when a postal worker
arrives.
- understanding the consequences of an incident.
- simple measures that can be put in place to help manage a dog’s
behaviours.
- motivation for change, so that their dog doesn’t escalate its behaviour to the point that an attack occurs.
- advice on where further help can be found.
The webinar training course will be delivered on Zoom. Customers will require internet connection and access to a computer, laptop, tablet or smart phone to take part.
Customers will need to register in advance to attend the “Protecting Your Postie” Information/Training course Webinar available here: – https://www.bluecross.org.uk/protecting-your-postie
Message to all ASRs:
Your assistance in supporting, publicising, raising awareness and onward communicating the important campaign messages both externally with the public, customers and organisations plus importantly raising awareness amongst members is important and is very much appreciated. Please be proactive, not only during Dog Awareness Week but continually throughout the year as this important issue requires more time than a single week and constant attention – this is a crucially important issue for us. We’ve seen a worrying increase in serious dog attacks involving serious injuries to members across the country.
Royal Mail HQ have welcomed and requested full support from ASRs and WSRs. Royal Mail have requested that ASRs
- Visit Delivery Offices – organise a plan of visits ongoing throughout the year, focusing on dog risks and controls.
- Cary out Inspections/Investigations following dog related incidents.
- Talk to members about the threat of dog attacks.
- Introduce yourself to new starters in the unit, typically they will be most at risk so speak to them about the principles of AVOID and the dangers posed by dog attacks.
- Support Unit Manager delivering Dog WTLLs and Huddles and Safety Flashes.
- Ensure that sites have displayed their Dog Awareness posters and are sending out external posters/leaflets to vets, schools, local community centres etc.
- Go through the Quiz one to one with the new entrants, explain to them how to use the posting peg and follow AVOID.
Attachments:
- New ‘Responsible Dog Ownership – How To Keep You, Your Dog and Visitors Safe’ – Dog Control Awareness guide/leaflet
- CWU Dog Awareness Week Posters (2 versions).
- RM Dog Awareness Week WTLL.
- RM Dog Awareness Week Quiz (2 – Employees & Managers).
- RM Dog Awareness Week RMG SHE Plan.
- RM Dog Awareness Week Number of Attacks by Postcode (Percentages).
- Blue Cross ‘Protect Your Postie’ Dog Owner Customers Training/Information Webinar.
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
LTB 240/24 – RM CWU National Dog Awareness Week 1 – 7 July 2024 and Message to New Labour Government
LTB 240/24 – Attachment Dog Safety Guide Leaflet – CWU-NPCC-RM-PFWW
LTB 240/24 – Attachment Dog-Awareness-Poster-2024 V1(Eng)
LTB 240/24 – Attachment Dog-Awareness-2024-Poster-V2(Eng)
LTB 240/24 – Attachment Dog Awareness Week 2024 – WTLL
LTB 240/24 – ATTACHMENT Dog Awareness Week 2024 – Dog Quiz – Employees
LTBS 240/24 – ATTACHMENT Dog Awareness Week 2024 -Dog Quiz – Managers
LTB 240/24 – ATTACHMENT DOG AWARENESS WEEK PLAN CHANNELS 2024 (1st July- 7th July) (Word doc download)
LTB 240.24 ATTACHMENT Dog Awareness Week 2024 – Number of attacks by postcode area – (Word doc download)
LTB 240/24 – ATTACHMENT Blue Cross ‘Protect Your Postie.’ Webinar (DAW 2024) (Word doc download)
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