Union welcomes inquiry into dog attackes

A retired High Court Judge is to head an independent inquiry into dog attacks on postal workers.

Under sustained pressure from the CWU communication workers’ union, the Royal Mail Group has agreed to launch an inquiry into the prevalence and impact of attacks by dogs on postal workers in the UK. Around 5,000 postal workers are atacked each year.

Sir Gordon Langley, a former High Court Judge, is tasked with looking at the current legislative framework, assessing examples of where the issue has been successfully tackled and also with making his own recommendations.

Individuals are invited to contribute to the inquiry as to why the level of dog attacks on postal workers is so high. The inquiry will also, welcome proposals on how to tackle the problem.

Dave Joyce, CWU national safety officer, has spearheaded the union’s Bite Back campaign which aims to get new laws in place to protect people who are attacked on private property. He said: “This is a very positive and welcomed development at a key moment and will ... strengthen the case for change which is overwhelming and must not be further delayed.”

Comments can be e-mailed to the Inquiry at: [email protected]. The inquiry is expected to report in late 2012.