Half-term dog safety

This week, pupils from most schools in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are taking their October half-term breaks.

As a result, and together with the fact that local Covid-19-related tier restrictions are in place across the UK, more people are likely to be at home. This increases the chances of dogs being loose in the garden or loose at the door of customers’ houses when colleagues call for a signature or parcel delivery.

In the last year alone, our people across the UK have suffered more than 2,440 dog attacks. Although the total number of attacks dipped slightly by two per cent year on year, there are still around 47 attacks occurring every week across the UK, with some leading to permanent and disabling injuries.

We appeal to all colleagues to follow the AVOID acronym (see below) and request that everyone carries a posting peg to use at addresses where they know a dog is present. Click here to read postwoman, Angela Chapman’s story of when she was attacked while posting a letter through a customer’s letterbox.

AVOID:

• A – Avoid interacting with all dogs.
• V – Value yourself; don't put yourself at risk. Always use a posting peg where you know a dog is present.
• O – Observe; keep your walk log up to date.
• I – Inform others of any potential risks to help prevent them from being attacked.
• D – Defend yourself if necessary, using your delivery equipment.

Recently, the High Court ruled that dog owners could spend up to five years in prison under the Dangerous Dog Act, if they fail to take preventative measures to stop their dogs from attacking colleagues' hands through the letterbox.

The court ruled that the decision applies to postal workers or anyone lawfully visiting the premises, such as someone delivering a free newspaper or distributing leaflets. The judge said that there will be a short time when someone exposes their fingers to a dog within the property. If the dog injures that person, and the owner had allowed the dog to freely roam the house, the owner can be criminally liable.

The High Court ruling will effectively require dog owners to install letterbox cages or otherwise keep dogs away from the front door, or face prosecution if injury is caused to a person delivering to the house.

In the event of a conviction, the court must order the destruction of the dog, unless the owner proves it is no longer a danger to the public. The court also has the power to disqualify persons from owning dogs and order unlimited compensation to victims.