Dogsey

The Royal mail has announced the launch of an independent inquiry into dog attacks, saying there are almost 4000 attacks on its postal workers a year. Campaigners have been calling for measures and legislation to deal with “dangerous dogs” - the aim of this inquiry is to make recommendations to reduce the number of dog attacks.

Royal Mail chairman, Donald Bydon, announcing the inquiry which will be led by former high court judge Sir Gordon Langley, said: “It is an offence to decency that good people should suffer these attacks when carrying out their daily jobs and serving the public.”

Campaigner Dave Joyce supports the inquiry. Mr Joyce, who is the national safety officer of the Communication Workers Union (CWU), said: “This is a very positive and welcome development at a key moment and will definitely raise the profile of the issue and influence the public and political debate and strengthen the case for change which is overwhelming and must not be further delayed.”

Figures were reported as follows:

The number of attacks are between 3500 to 4000 a year.
Since 2006, more than 24,000 postmen and women have been attacked on their rounds.
Royal Mail have spent in excess of £100,000 on campaigns and equipment to reduce the risk of injury.
Nearly 400 postmen and women have been off sick after a dog attack - 4100 working days have been lost at a cost of approximately £400,000.

The CWU said that despite Prime Minister David Cameron saying that he supported its campaign for tougher laws against dangerous dogs two years ago, no changes have been made.