None of the staff asked were willing to give a statement for fear of repercussions from management

I Need Your Help

To ensure my former colleagues never again feel they have to give a written statement like that one they sent to our Head Office when I asked for their help

In order to protect not just my former colleagues but everyone who works in the animal rescue sector, I now feel I've been left with no alternative than to share my experience working for the UK's largest dog welfare charity

Dogs Trust

Where:

• Our Head Office deliberately withheld dangerous dog assessments from staff
• Staff worked with dogs not knowing some had not only attempted to but had actually injured other members of staff
• Having been involved in a serious dog attack later finding out my accident had not been legally reported
• Many of my colleagues were injured, some very seriously

Having gone to those in charge with concerns for everyone's safety within a matter of a few months I'd lost my job which had meant everything to me, my health and my trust in people.

Our charity had a code of conduct, grievance procedure and whistleblowing policy all meant to protect staff, they didn't.

I would like to propose:

• An independent body is created to deal with matters such as safety concerns and grievance procedures. This should have no connection to any rescue organisation, where staff know they will be protected
• Every animal rescue centre to have a safety rating similar to zoos where independent safety inspections are carried out
• A review is carried out to determine the safest and most effective way to intervene when a dog is attacking a person or another dog. This method to then be adopted by all rescue centres
• PPE is reviewed to determine what is essential for those working in the rescue sector
• A method for reporting near misses and accidents anonymously is introduced
• Automatic support is given to anyone who has been injured to rebuild confidence
• RIDDOR reports include specific details such as the size and type of animal involved along with previous near misses/accidents

I'd like serious consideration given to what my former colleagues lives are worth

I cannot emphasise enough how important it is for people to feel they can speak out freely. It is literally a matter of life and death in some instances.

I'd like the state to recognise this and offer serious protection and support.

Please continue to support organisations like Dogs Trust. Hopefully there will come a time when they no longer need to exist. Until then unfortunately thousands of animals rely on them for their very survival.

I'm incredibly grateful for your support