Workplace Report September 2009

Health & safety news

Tougher dog laws proposed in Scotland

The CWU communication workers’ union has called on the Scottish government to push ahead with plans to introduce new dangerous dog laws, after a Glasgow postman was hospitalised following a savage dog attack.

Thomas McGrath, a postal worker with 30 years’ Royal Mail service, was attacked in July while walking up a garden path. Some 70% of attacks on postal workers occur on private premises such as in front gardens and drive ways.

The Control of Dogs (Scotland) Bill, backed by the CWU and Scottish RSPCA, is aimed at addressing this hole in the law. The union wants the legislation to be a first step towards protection across the UK.