by Richard Robins
24 August 2010
Animal charities and postal workers' unions are lobbying the government to introduce new laws to give them protection from dog attacks on private land. Currently the law only covers somebody attacked on private property if the dog is a banned breed, under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, which is notoriously vaguely worded. Otherwise, they are entitled to seek compensation claims if they are attacked on the street, but their rights end when they step on to someone's garden path.
Under proposals started earlier this year by the Labour Government, the owners of an animal that attacks a visitor to their property, or indeed a member of their family, could be liable both to pay compensation in a civil action and face prosecution at the same time. The proposals have been welcomed by the Royal Mail, who reported nearly 5,000 atrtacks on their staff throughout 2008 and 2009.