‘Worrying rise’ in dog attacks on postal workers as Royal Mail urges owners to take care | UK News

Postal workers have recorded a “worrying rise” in dog attacks, a union has warned.

Royal Mail said there were 2,206 dog attacks in the 12 months to March 2024 – a 15% increase on the previous year.

Some of these attacks were so serious that they left postal workers with permanent and disabling injuries.

The number of attacks causing serious and significant injuries to postal workers was recorded at 82 during the period, compared to 33 in the previous 12 months.

Puppy The attacks resulted in more than 2,273 days of absence in 2023/24, with the longest period of absence being 197 days.

Royal Mail has launched its annual Dog Awareness Week, urging customers to take more care and responsibility about dog ownership.

Portsmouth, Belfast, Bristol, Brighton and Plymouth were considered among the highest risk locations.

Dave Joyce, health and safety officer at the Communications Workers Union, said there had been a “very worrying increase” in the number of dog bite incidents and serious dog attacks on postal workers.

He added: “The main purpose of Dog Awareness Week is primarily to remind the public to be aware of their legal and moral responsibilities to control their dogs and to prevent dog attacks on postal workers who provide them with an excellent public service.

“The public needs to be aware that if your dog attacks a postal worker, they could be prosecuted.”

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Most dog attacks occurred at the front door, followed by the garden, walkway or yard, and some of the attacks were reported to have occurred in the street or road.

One in five incidents happened through letterboxes, although dog owners can be prosecuted if their pets have free access to the letterbox and cause injury to any delivery person.

Royal Mail director of health and safety Lizz Lloyd said: “We are saddened and disappointed to see attacks on our people continue to increase.

“Dog attacks have a devastating effect on our people and we urge dog owners to think twice when the postman calls.

“All dog attacks can have life-changing consequences for victims, even when the physical injuries are not significant.

“Almost half of attacks happen at the front door and more than a quarter in the front garden, so this is not just a Royal Mail problem, many other organizations face the same problem.”