POSTAL workers have called for immediate action on measures designed to tackle the problem of violent animals.

Members of the Communication Workers Union, who are holding their annual conference this week in Bournemouth, said the measures to crackdown on dangerous dogs were “well overdue”.

The announcement includes proposals to close a loophole in the law so dog owners will face prosecution if their pet attacks someone lawfully on their property as well as compulsory micro-chipping of puppies. However, the plans are subject to further consultation.

Communication Workers Union general secretary Billy Hayes said: “We were hoping that all the fanfare around the dangerous dogs announcement this weekend would mean that positive action was on the way.

“Instead all we’re getting is yet another consultation.”

The union released details at its annual conference at the BIC on Sunday showing that 70 per cent of the dog attacks on CWU members happened on private property where the law currently does not apply.

More than 23,000 postal workers have been attacked by dogs over the past four years, thousands causing injuries.

The union has been campaigning for years for the changes and say the increasing attacks show just how important these measures are.