Postmen want legal protection from dogs
Postmen in the UK want legal protection from dogs, say the trade union that represents them.
While images of dogs chasing postmen have been a comedy staple for years, the Communication Workers Union say it is no laughing matter.
Last year almost 6,000 posties were attacked by a dog as they tried to deliver letters, some seriously and even hospitalized.
But a loophole in the law means they have no protection under the Dangerous Dogs Act which only covers public places.
This means owners cannot be held accountable for their animals actions though the same attacks could send them to prison if it happened on a public street.
Dave Joyce, of the CWU, said: "The law requires us to deliver to every single address but it doesn't protect our members from out of control, dangerous and aggressive dogs."
A spokesperson for the Royal Mail said staff are trained in how to behave near aggressive dogs but also appealed for people not to let dogs out.
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