Reporting dog attacks

There were just under 2,500 dog attacks on our postmen and women last year with 2,445 separate incidents reported compared to 2,496 in 2018-19.

Although the 2019/2020 figures represent a slight but welcome two per cent dip, this still equates to around 47 attacks every week across the UK, with some leading to a permanent and disabling injury.

In several postcode areas the number of attacks has climbed steeply. In the Glasgow ‘G’ postcode alone, attacks on colleagues have almost doubled from 26 to 47 attacks annually (up 83 per cent), while the Chelmsford postcode ‘CH’ has seen attacks increase more than 122 per cent, rising from 15 to 33. 

However, some areas which have trialled a special virtual reality (VR) training package have seen a marked improvement in attack figures. Basildon Delivery Office in Essex for example, saw the number of annual attacks drop from nine down to two, while Southend and Malden delivery offices saw attacks drop from 12 to eight and from eight to six respectively.

Legal prosecutions

Press play to hear from senior legal advisor, Michael Munn, on why it is so important to photograph injuries and report incidents of dog attacks on our people.

Following the changes to the Dangerous Dog Act in England and Wales that came into force in May 2014, Royal Mail has commenced over 20 private prosecutions against dog owners where the police have failed to take the appropriate action. This has punished offenders and further raised awareness, which in turn will prevent further attacks by forcing owners to put in place control measures to ensure a dog does not attack again.

We have also launched two actions in the High Court to settle the law in relation to the criminal liability of dog owners when colleagues have their fingers bitten when posting items through a letterbox. These cases will clarify the law in this area, and, if successful, will force dog owners to take positive steps, such as fixing a letterbox guard or keeping their dog away from the letterbox at all times, in order to prevent some of the terrible injuries suffered by colleagues.

To help promote dog safety, a special Dog Awareness Week postmark is being applied to all stamped items from Monday 6 July to Saturday 11 July.

Please visit www.royalmail.com/dogawareness for hints and tips on dog safety.