POSTAL workers have urged the next government to toughen up dog control laws amid a national crisis of attacks.

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) said 2,206 Royal Mail workers were attacked by dogs in the last financial year — up 1.5 per cent on the previous year and an average of 42 per week.

CWU national health and safety officer Dave Joyce said: “Dog attacks in the UK is a national crisis and remains a major safety hazard and concern for postmen and women who are in the front line, as it does for the public, and the scale of the problem shouldn’t be underestimated by anyone. 

“The incoming new UK government needs to prioritise firm action on dog control or continue to face a rapidly growing explosion in deaths and injuries. 

“The CWU has called on all political parties that whoever forms the next government following the July 4 general election needs to take firm action on dog control law and police enforcement, plus the courts need to hand down effective sentences which are within their power but not utilised.”