THE Scottish government must stop ignoring warnings and act to protect postal workers and the public from violent dog attacks, the CWU told ministers today.

Oban postal worker Kirsteen Hobson was left with wounds to her face, leg and arm and requiring plastic surgery after a dog attack in January.

But the Communication Workers Union argues this was only the latest in hundreds of attacks ignored by ministers.

CWU Scottish secretary Craig Anderson put the case for action directly to the minister for agriculture Jim Fairlie and his SNP colleague Siobhian Brown, minister for victims and community safety today.

Mr Anderson said: “Postal workers deliver vital services to Scotland’s communities, and they deserve protection while carrying out their work.

“The recent attack on Kirsteen Hobson is just one of many cases where irresponsible dog ownership has led to serious injury.

“The time for talk is over: the Scottish government must take meaningful action to protect our members and the public from dangerous dogs.”

A Scottish government spokeswoman said it would “consider how dog control and dog welfare can be improved,” adding: “We want every dog owner to understand and fulfil their responsibilities.”