The Communication Workers Union is pressing for a change in the law to help reduce the number of dog attacks on postal delivery staff.

Postmen in the UK want legal protection from dogs.

While images of dogs chasing postmen have been a comedy staple for years, the CWU say it is no laughing matter.

Last year almost 6,000 posties were attacked by a dog as they tried to deliver letters, some seriously and even hospitalized.
But a loophole in the law means they have no protection under the Dangerous Dogs Act which only covers public places.

This means owners cannot be held accountable for their animals actions, arguing it is impossible to prosecute owners of dogs that attacked on private land, though the same attacks could send them to prison if it happened on a public street.

Under current legislation, a dog classed as being "dangerously out of control in a public place" can be destroyed. The owner can be fined and imprisoned for up to six months. If a dog injures someone, the owner can be jailed for up to two years.

Union leaders want tighter laws to prevent owners avoiding prosecution and allow more control orders to be made. But Defra said: "Better enforcement of the existing law will reduce the number of incidents."

According to the CWU, the problem peaks during summer months, often because children at home during holidays allow pet dogs to accompany them to the front door.

Dave Joyce, of the CWU, said: "The law requires us to deliver to every single address but it doesn't protect our members from out of control, dangerous and aggressive dogs."

A spokesperson for the Royal Mail said staff are trained in how to behave near aggressive dogs but also appealed for people not to let dogs out.