There are calls for an review of Scotland’s dangerous dogs laws after a savage attack on a postwomen

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The woman, who does not want to be identified, suffered serious, life-changing injuries while she was delivering mail in Tranent. She was rushed to hospital for emergency plastic surgery after suffering lacerations to her face. Despite the horrific incident, the union says the animal is still at large and its owner is yet to be charged with any offence. Details of the attack emerged as Scottish Labour’s justice spokesman, Daniel Johnson, quizzed ministers about dangerous dogs legislation.

The postwomen suffered serious, life-changing injuries while she was delivering mail in Tranent

With just two people disqualified from owning or keeping dogs as a result of the 2010 Act, it is worth examining if this law is really working Daniel Johnson - Scottish Labour’s justice spokesman

He requested information on the number of dog control notices issued under the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010 and the number of people charged and convicted under the Act. Legal affairs minister Annabelle Ewing said the number of notices had grown year on year from 92 in 2011/12 to 290 in 2015/16, the last year in which figures are available. In total, there were 1,059 dog control notices issued over the five years. Over the same period, Ms Ewing said 102 people were charged with at least one offence under the Act and there were 23 convictions.

There’s been an 80 per cent increase in dog attack hospitalisations in Scotland, says Dave Joyce

There were a further 35 people charged and nine convictions in 2016/17. Meanwhile, only two people have been disqualified from keeping dogs and there have been no instances where a dog was ordered to be destroyed. Mr Johnson said: “I believe these figures suggest that there ought to be an investigation into whether the law around the control of dogs is being applied fully or whether it needs to be updated. “With just two people disqualified from owning or keeping dogs as a result of the 2010 Act, it is worth examining if this law is really working. “I have been contacted by a variety of groups who are disappointed in the way the law is working: from posties at the CWU union to farmers worried about livestock to the SSPCA. “Specifically I am concerned by the so-called ‘one free bite’ rule which sees owners given the benefit of the doubt on first offences. In reality we know there are tell-tale behavioural signs, and responsible owners must ensure dogs do not cause harm to others.” The CWU said some 2,500 members north of the Border have been attacked by a dog over the eight years since the Act came into force. National health and safety officer Dave Joyce said they would relaunch their Bite-Back campaign, below, to have the laws revised and added: “The situation in Scotland is farcical.

There have been 1,059 dog control notices issued over the five years