Royal Mail to step up action against dog owners after more than 3,000 attacks on postal workers in a year
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The Royal Mail pledged today to take more action against owners of dogs that attack postal workers after a new report called for tougher legislation.
The postal group said it will actively pursue legal action against the owners of dangerous dogs and take a more 'robust' approach to suspending deliveries to addresses where attacks take place.
The moves follow publication of an independent inquiry into dog attacks on postal staff, which the Royal Mail said numbered more than 3,000 in the year to April.
Sort it out: Royal Mail are pressing for action after thousands of attacks on its workers by dogs
Former High Court judge Sir Gordon Langley recommended that new legislation should be introduced to provide tougher legal sanctions against owners of dangerous dogs.
The report pointed out that action cannot be taken if an attack takes place on private property, limiting legal protection available to postmen and women.
The Communication Workers Union (CWU), which has criticised the Government for failing to take action on dangerous dogs, said today's report should be the catalyst needed to bring action.
The union said the number of postal workers suffering dog attacks was nearer 5,000 a year.
Sir Gordon's report called on the Government to repeal current legislation and provide a new statute so that legal action can be taken against dog owners, wherever an attack takes place.
New laws have already been introduced in Scotland and Northern Ireland, with legislation planned in Wales.
Making a stance: The Royal Mail has said it will take legal action against owners of dogs who have attacked postmen and women
Sir Gordon said: 'It is a matter of real concern to learn of the extent and frequency of attacks on postal workers and to find that for a considerable time there has been almost general agreement not only on the inadequacies of the present law in England and Wales but also on the nature of the reforms required to address it, but to date it remains unchanged.'
Royal Mail chairman Donald Brydon said: 'Dog attacks cause injuries and terrible trauma to our staff. Nobody should have to endure this and our staff are at an increased risk of such attacks simply because of the job they do.
'We welcome the findings in Sir Gordon Langley's independent report, especially his call for an urgent reform of the laws in England and Wales. We have also taken on board his comments that Royal Mail should take a more robust approach with customers whose dogs attack postmen and women. We will adjust our policies immediately.'
CWU general secretary Billy Hayes said: 'Sir Gordon's recommendations take on board our own long-standing campaign objectives of securing new UK-wide laws which apply on private property, moving away from breed-specific legislation, introducing microchipping and getting serious when it comes to prosecution and punishment.
'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.'
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Susan Alexander, Belfast, United Kingdom, 11 months ago
I just wish you would stop using the picture here illustrated of a SBT as a dangerous dog it's because the coverage you give out in your newspapers that gives this breed a bad reputation,I would be more wary of a handbag dog than a larger breed dog,this breed of dog is discriminated against if you don't own this breed of dog don't knock it !!!