Spreading the word
Colleagues at New Ferry delivery office in Merseyside held a dog safety presentation following last week’s Dog Awareness Week.
After colleagues at the unit suffered six dog attacks during 2016/17, a plan was developed to target dangerous dogs in the area. This included building a relationship with the local council animal technical officer, Hazel Millington, and New Ferry CWU safety rep, Dave Fairclough taking on the role of 'dog safety champion’.
Dave’s role is to liaise between colleagues, dog wardens and the police. To date, Wirral council has responded to 100% of our requests for interventions. In addition, the dog warden has offered customers advice about securing their dogs, informed them of their legal responsibilities and recorded his visits, in case of future legal action.
Mark Evans, postman and Greater Mersey Branch CWU sub area safety representative, said: ‘New Ferry is now not passively dealing with dogs, but proactively managing a situation. We just need Delivery colleagues to tell the safety team about problem addresses.
‘The importance of dog reporting and recording problem dogs in walk logs was emphasised along with our AVOID advice and the use of P5705 stickers to let customers know why we didn't deliver their mail.
‘The most important part of the presentation was from Bootle postwoman Claire Kami, who was attacked by a dog in November 2016 just six weeks after starting with Royal Mail. Clair gave a very graphic presentation about the after effects of the attack, her resulting surgery and loss of mobility during recovery, and the associated mental issues she has suffered including her loss of trust of animals.’
Clair was interviewed on Radio Merseyside and BBC Radio 5 Live as part of our Dog Awareness Week.
‘Following the attack, I had to have reconstructive surgery and spent two days in hospital,’ said Clair. ‘I've been left with quite a large noticeable scar on my lower left leg. I am only 25, so it is a massive issue for me to be left with such a severe scar.
‘Since the attack I've had nightmares, flashbacks and have lost all confidence in animals and dogs. I do everything I can to spread the word about dog awareness as I wouldn't want this to happen to anyone else.
‘It's a really traumatic experience and no-one should have to ever go through it, especially while at work.’
Although the number of dog attacks on postmen and women has fallen across the country by 8%, compared with the previous year, the number of attacks is still too high. Every dog attack is one attack too many. On average, there are still 44 attacks taking place each week, with some leading to a permanent and disabling injury. Our sixth annual Dog Awareness Week took place last week to raise further awareness of dog safety and encourage responsible dog ownership.
Dr Shaun Davis, director of safety, health, wellbeing and sustainability, said: ‘I’ve been delighted, this year in particular, with our Dog Awareness Week. The campaign is working. In the five-year period since we have been doing the campaign, the shift has been amazing – people are no longer seeing it as acceptable that our colleagues could be hurt in this way.’
