Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 - House of Commons EDM (Early Day Motion) 1159
No. 149/2023
12 June 2023
Our Ref: P18/23
To: All Branches
Dear Colleagues,
Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 – House of Commons EDM (Early Day Motion) 1159:
With 3,000 dog attacks on postal workers every year, this remains a primary safety concern for the Union and daily danger for our members. The CWU Health, Safety and Environment Department continues to fight for justice for victim members, supporting victims, working with Safety Reps and Branches and pressing the Police to prosecute irresponsible owners.
The Union continues to campaign for further law changes and strengthening of the dog control laws, tougher sentencing by the courts and better enforcement by the UK’s 45 Police forces.
Meetings are scheduled with ministers and politicians in Westminster, the Welsh Assembly and the Scottish Parliament in the coming weeks to push on with our campaigning.
Postmen and women deliver the universal service obligation, to circa 31 million addresses across the UK, and as we approach ‘National Joint Dog Awareness Week’ 3 – 9 July we will be working with Royal Mail and other organisations to raise the profile of the campaign week, raise the profile of the growing menace and national crisis of dog attacks and promote responsible dog ownership and call on dog owners and customers not to forget that during the summer months postmen and women will be in the community carrying out their jobs and should be able to do so without fear of being attacked by a dog.
Supporting MPs in Westminster have tabled an Early Day Motion on Dog Attacks, number 1159.
Early Day Motions (EDMs) are used to put on record the views of individual MPs or to draw attention to specific subject matter, events or campaigns. By attracting the signatures of other MPs, they can be used to demonstrate the level of parliamentary support for a particular cause or point of view. Its important therefore to get as many MPs to sign the EDM as possible. This motion has been signed by 17 Members (as of 9 June 2023). It has not yet had any amendments submitted.
Early Day Motion 1159 Text
“This House is concerned at the increasing number of dog attacks and is alarmed that 15 people have been killed as a result of a dog attacks since the start of 2022 and more have been seriously injured; notes that the cost to the NHS of dog bites has been calculated at £77 million per year; recognises that an approach based on breed specific legislation has failed and that the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 is woefully ineffective; looks forward to the publication of recommendations by the Government’s Responsible Dog Ownership Working Group and calls for this to take place before the summer recess; and further calls on the Government to introduce new legislation covering all aspects of the control of dangerous dogs that protects the public, promotes responsible dog ownership and improves animal welfare.”
Signatures 17 (As of 9 June 2023)
The first 6 MPs who have signed to support the Motion are the sponsors. The primary sponsor is generally the person who tabled the motion and has responsibility for it.
MP Signed to Support the EDM (as of 9 June 2023)
Wayne David, Labour Caerphilly
Rosie Duffield, Labour Canterbury
Jonathan Edwards, Independent Carmarthen East and Dinefwr
Christina Rees, Independent Neath
Caroline Lucas, Green Party Brighton, Pavilion
Sir Mike Penning, Conservative Hemel Hempstead
Margaret Ferrier, Independent Rutherglen and Hamilton West
Tony Lloyd, Labour Rochdale Signed on 17 May 2023
Allan Dorans, Scottish National Party Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock
Rachael Maskell, Labour York Central
Jim Shannon, Democratic Unionist Party Strangford
Sir Greg Knight, Conservative East Yorkshire
John McDonnell, Labour Hayes and Harlington
Ian Mearns, Labour Gateshead Signed on
Bell Ribeiro-Addy, Labour Streatham
Olivia Blake, Labour Sheffield Hallam
Sharon Hodgson, Labour Washington and Sunderland West
Action – Your Assistance Is Required
Would all Regions, Branches and Reps please contact local MPs and ask them to sign EDM1159.
Thanks for your support.
Yours sincerely
Dave JoyceNational Health, Safety & Environment Officer
Comments