Law change moves to protect postmen from dog attacks

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Postmen will be better protected from being attacked by dogs under proposals to go before Parliament.


By Murray Wardrop
Published: 7:00AM BST 01 Jul 2009

A 10-minute rule bill will be introduced in the Commons on Wednesday by Labour MP Angela Smith after complaints that the Dangerous Dogs Act needed updating.

The bill aims to extend the law to offer protection to workers such as postmen and women from being attacked by dogs on private property.

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) said the current legislation left thousands of postal and other workers vulnerable to dog attacks because the law did not cover incidents on private land.

General secretary Billy Hayes said: "The law currently leave thousands of postal workers at risk from debilitating dog attacks with no legal right to pursue damages or to have action taken against dangerous dogs and their owners.

"Around 6,000 postal workers are attacked by dogs every year with 70 per cent attacked on private property where the Dangerous Dogs Act doesn't apply and the owners are therefore not prosecuted. Postmen and women cannot therefore be awarded compensation.

"The CWU's view is a simple one that if a person wishes to own an animal, particularly a dog, then they have a duty to ensure that it doesn't cause personal injury and damage."

Dave Prentis, general secretary of Unison, added: "Most dog owners are responsible but dangerous dogs need to be brought under stricter legal control.

"It is appalling that district nurses, utility workers home care and social workers among others, run the risk of being attacked by these animals when visiting clients at home.

"Dog attacks can result in serious debilitation and disfiguring injuries and can also be the cause of high levels of stress.

"It is time to update the Dangerous Dog Act so the law applies everywhere, including private property which is where so many workers get bitten.

"This would lead to better protection for our members and more rigorous enforcement of the law."

Several hundred dog attacks resulted in postal workers sustaining serious debilitating and disfiguring injuries along with deep physiological trauma every year, according to the CWU.