Warning over 'unacceptable' rise in dog attacks

More than 200 postmen and women were attacked across Wales by dogs from April 2011 to April 2012. That figure is up three per cent on the previous year.

Royal Mail says that they support the new legislation planned by the Welsh Government on the compulsory micro-chipping of dangerous dogs as a way of holding dog owners to account.

According to the Royal Mail, the number of attacks usually peaks during the school holidays, and they're appealing to dog owners in Wales to keep their animals under control during the summer.

A total of 217 attacks took place between April 2011 to April 2012, and the Royal Mail says this is 'unacceptably high'.

Richard is a Royal Mail worker from Pontypridd who was attacked by a Rottweiler in 2011. He suffered bruising and scratch marks on his shoulders, neck and upper body, and had to go to hospital.

The Royal Mail is urging dog owners to make sure incidents like these are avoided.

Postmen and women face increased risk during school holidays, when parents and children are at home with dogs, allowing them to roam unsupervised in the garden or out onto the streets without restraints.