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New laws to protect postal and telecommunication workers from dog attacks come into force today, Monday 20th October 2014.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) today (Friday) launched a Practitioner’s manual for law enforcement officers who are faced with irresponsible dog ownership, which has been welcomed by the Communication Workers Union.
The manual gives practical advice to the police and local authorities about what they are now legally allowed to demand from reckless dog owners.
There are around 3,000 dog attacks on postal and telecom workers every year in the UK, with 75 per cent on private property.
Billy Hayes, general secretary for the Communication Workers Union, said:
“The Practitioner’s manual that Defra has released today is welcome as it clearly sets out what powers those in authority have and what demands they can make of irresponsible dog owners.
We have fought hard to get the law tightened because of the disproportionate number of postal workers who are attacked by dogs. Around 6,300 postal workers have been attacked by dogs since 2012 for simply doing their jobs.
Reckless dog owners must be aware that it's now a criminal offence if their dog attacks the postman or woman on private property and from Monday there will be serious consequences.”
Source: CWU
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