Postmen back dog Asbo plans

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http://www.buteman.co.uk/latest-scottis ... 4812957.jp

Postal workers have lent their backing to plans for a new law on dog control.
"Dog Asbos" would see problem pets micro-chipped to monitor their behaviour and owners instructed to try and improve their conduct.

The proposed Control of Dogs Bill, due to be published early in 2009, aims to protect people, other dogs and their
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owners.

Posties and couriers with the Communications Workers' Union (CWU), are supporting the legislation led by the SNP's Alex Neil. They are looking for a similar law to be introduced elsewhere in the UK.

The CWU's health and safety officer Dave Joyce said the current law on dangerous dogs has done nothing to reduce attacks.

Mr Joyce said: "We are calling for cross party support when the Bill comes before the Scottish Parliament in order to facilitate the swift passage of the Bill on to the statute book and want the rest of the UK to follow the Scottish lead.

"We want to see more realistic penalties handed down by the courts when prosecutions take place with owners of aggressive dogs being held to account. My union is not anti-dog or anti any specific breed of dog - the overwhelming majority of which cause no problem at all.

"However, there are a significant number of aggressive dogs and irresponsible owners which need to be dealt with."

According to the CWU, postal workers in the UK are victim to 5,000 - 6,000 dog attacks every year, with many resulting in serious injuries.

Postman Paul Coleman spent six days in hospital, undergoing a series of operations and skin grafts following an attack by two dogs while delivering mail in Sheffield last Christmas. The owner was later jailed for four and a half months.

Similar story at http://www.theherald.co.uk/politics/new ... ionals.php