A Halstead postman believes tighter new laws around out of control dogs cannot come soon enough after it was revealed more than 40 people were injured in attacks across the district in the last four years.

The shocking statistics, obtained through a Freedom of Information request to Essex Police, show there have been 744 recorded offences across the county since 2010.

In the Braintree district, 43 people fell victim to a dog attack in that time, with at least 12 in 2013 alone.

Halstead postman Steve McKenna was bitten by a German shepherd during his round in 2011.

The owners were ordered to pay almost £1,000 and to build a secure pen for the dog, but Mr McKenna still welcomes plans for stricter new laws.