Royal Mail to take tougher approach over dangerous dogs

An independent inquiry into dog attacks on postal workers in the UK has concluded that the current law on dangerous animals is “a mess and patently inadequate to address a serious problem”. The inquiry led by High Court Judge Sir Gordon Langley said today that the problem of attacks on carriers delivering mail to UK homes “is a serious public safety issue which merits urgent attention”.

The inquiry was commissioned by Royal Mail back in March to investigate why so many postal workers are attacked by rogue pets when delivering mail, and how to reduce the prevalence of dog attacks.

Last year there were 3,251 reported dog attacks on postal workers in the UK – a decline on previous years, but still averaging more than 10 attacks per day as postmen and women deliver mail six days per week to 28m addresses.

Some 24,000 postal workers have been attacked by dogs since 2006, costing Royal Mail GBP 400,000 in lost work.

Some 70% of dog attacks occur on private property, which makes if difficult to take legal action against owners of dangerous dogs under UK laws, although Scotland and Northern Ireland have new regulations that extend animal control measures into private property.

Wales is also in the process of changing its animal controls laws, with a draft bill being launched for public consultation today. The action will leave England alone in managing dangerous dogs with 140-year-old legislation.

“No magic bullet”

The Langley Report today warned there was “no magic bullet” in cutting dog attacks, but called for the rest of UK legislation to apply dangerous animal controls into private property.

“There is universal support for such an extension. The only concern that has been raised is for cases where the dog might be said to be acting so as to protect those in charge of it or their property,” said Sir Gordon in the report.

Other recommendations include mandatory microchipping for dogs, use of dog control notice similar to those in Scotland, and the use of compensation orders to benefit dog attack victims.

The Langley Report also said local enforcement officials from police and councils should be adequately resourced to enforce animal control regulations.

“More robust”

Royal Mail said today that it would follow up the Langley recommendations for it to do more to take legal action when its staff were subjected to dog attacks.

The postal service also promised a “more robust approach” to refusing delivery to addresses where dangerous dogs pose a threat.

Donald Brydon, the Royal Mail chairman who commissioned the inquiry, said today “Dog attacks cause injuries and terrible trauma to our staff. Nobody should have to ensure this, and our staff are at an increased risk of such attacks simply because of the job they do.”

Brydon said Royal Mail would take a stronger approach with its customers when their dogs attack postmen and women.

“We will adjust our policies immediately,” he pledged.

Unions said today the Langley Report should be a “catalyst” to bring change to the current UK legislation.

The Communication Workers Union welcomed Royal Mail’s pledges to act on the Langley recommendations, but said the government now needed to change the UK’s “failing” dogs laws.

CWU general secretary Billy Hayes said: “England will soon be the only part of the UK without updated dogs laws as Scotland and Northern Ireland have already introduced new improved legislation and Wales is legislating in the current session. This government has procrastinated and steadfastly refused to act on the issue of dangerous dogs while people continue to suffer serious injuries and lose their lives in dog attacks.”

Welsh bill

The Welsh Assembly’s environment minister John Griffiths introduced a new draft Control of Dogs (Wales) Bill while visiting the RSPCA today.

The bill proposes Draft Control Notices that could be issued by local authorities to require owners of dangerous dogs take steps to keep their pets under control, and importantly does extend powers requiring owners control animals in their own homes, not just in public places.

The bill is open for consultation now until 1st March, 2013.

“The Welsh Government is determined to do more to protect Welsh communities and this draft Bill is a key step towards making that happen,” said the minister.

“Our proposals focus on early intervention when a dog is out of control and involve close working with dog owners to improve their dog’s behaviour. We believe that by using legislation we can make a significant difference to the incidents of dog attacks in Wales.”