Appealing to customers
In the last year, 883 (35%) of dog attacks on postal workers happened at the front door or in the garden. We are appealing to all dog owners to ‘think TWICE’ when the postman or postwoman calls.
Royal Mail knows that dogs are not inherently dangerous. But, even the most placid animal can be prone to attack if it feels it or its territory is being threatened.
Dr Shaun Davis, global director of safety, health, wellbeing and sustainability, said: ‘We know that attacks can happen in predominantly four areas – on the street, in the grounds of the garden, at the door or through the letterbox. Raising awareness of those four areas is one way we can avoid attacks.’
CWU national health, safety and environment officer, Dave Joyce said: ‘The failure of dog owners to control their animals remains a major concern for postal workers and the public. Seven postal workers are attacked by dogs every working day of the year, which is unacceptable.
‘No matter the breed, a dog can present a substantial danger. We are appealing to all customers who are dog owners to work with us and think twice when the postman calls. Put the dog away in a secure room before opening the door to collect and sign for deliveries.
‘There are tough court penalties and a criminal record for irresponsible dog owners. One owner from Essex was ordered to pay a £9,000 fine after his dog injured a postwoman’s fingers as she put letters through the door. Another owner from Oxford was handed a 16-month suspended prison sentence and banned from owning dogs for life after his dog badly injured a postman’s hand.’
To help promote dog safety, a special Dog Awareness Week postmark has been applied to all stamped items until Saturday 13 July.
Simple actions can ensure postmen and woman can carry out their deliveries safely.
- Keep dogs away from the letterbox
- Do not open the front door with your dog off-lead
- Do not allow dogs to roam around the yard / garden.
More information about Dog Awareness Week 2019 can be found here.
