Pedigree safety advice
The number of dog attacks on postmen and women has risen by 73% in just 12 months in one region, new figures show.
The statistics, released after Royal Mail prosecuted a dog-sitter for allowing a Jack Russell to bite a colleague in Leicestershire, show there were 133 attacks on colleagues in the East Midlands (Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire), in the past year alone. That’s up from 77 the year before.
In total across the UK there were 2,484 dog attacks on colleagues, which was a factor in the decision to launch a private prosecution against Simon Astill, of Ashby Parva, near Lutterworth, after the attack back in February.
Royal Mail treats all dog attacks on our postmen and postwomen very seriously. Our first priority as an employer is to ensure the welfare and safety of colleagues.
We will always seek prosecution, either through the police or by taking legal action ourselves, in circumstances where we believe a member of the public has failed to control their dog so that it causes injury to a colleague going about their duties.
Half-term holidays in the UK are scheduled over the next two weeks, depending on location, which means more children are likely to be at home and the risk of dog attacks at the door for colleagues on delivery is greater.
A new reporting process for dog attacks was launched in the summer. The intention was to improve the information we gather when investigating a dog attack to make it easier for Royal Mail to take legal action against dog owners when appropriate.
Remember, all dogs have the potential to injure and harm. As such, it is vital we ensure that the correct safety standards on dog-related risks are fully engaged by reinforcing the AVOID message this half-term.
Always remember to AVOID attacks by:
- A - avoiding any interaction with dogs
- V - value yourself: don’t put yourself at risk
- O - observe: keep your walk log up to date
- I - inform others of potential risk
- D - defend yourself if necessary, using your delivery equipment.
