56 dog attacks on NI posties in one year

Royal Mail workers in Northern Ireland have reported 56 dog attacks in the last year, placing the BT postcode as the second most dangerous spot for postal deliveries.

The number reflects a 12% increase on the 50 dog attacks staff sustained last year and ranked Northern Ireland at No2 spot for the second consecutive year.

And Royal Mail has revealed, the BT postcode area which covers the whole of Northern Ireland has appeared in every Top 10 list in the last 10 years, topping the black list for attacks four times.

Read more: NI puppy sellers face 28 new rules when selling online

Now the postal firm is once again calling for householders to take action to help keep their delivery staff safe.

A spokesperson said: “Even the most lovable dog can be a danger to postal workers. Dogs are territorial by nature and if they feel they need to protect their family, they can become unpredictable.

“Please help us to deliver your post in safely by keeping your dog secure and out of the way before the postman or woman arrives.

Royal Mail today announced there were 1,916 dog attacks reported on its staff last year, an average of 37 attacks every week across the UK, with some leading to permanent and disabling injuries.

“The figures have been released at the start of the 11th annual Dog Awareness Week which runs July 3 – 9, and encourages responsible dog ownership.

“Royal Mail is appealing to dog owners to ensure they understand the often-devastating impact of dog attacks on postmen and postwomen and take proper measures to ensure their pets pose no threat to postal workers through responsible dog ownership.

How to help keep your postie safe:

• Ensure your dog is out of the way before the post arrives. Place them in the back garden or a faraway room.
• Never open the door when your dog is behind you. Dog attacks can happen when you open the door to sign for an item.
• If you have a back garden, please close off the access in case your dog could get around to the front when the postie calls.
• Make sure children don’t open the door, as dogs can push by them and attack.
• Give your dog some food or a toy to occupy them while your mail is being delivered.
• Wait 10 minutes after your mail has arrived to let your pet back into your hallway. Keep everything as calm and low-key as possible.
• If your dog likes to attack your mail, consider installing a wire letter receptacle. It will protect your post, and your postie’s fingers.
• If it’s not practical for you to keep your dog away from a postie delivering your mail, please consider fitting a secure mailbox on the edge of your property.

• The majority of dog attacks, 902 – 47%- took place at the front door.
• A total of 381 – 20% – of injuries were sustained through the letterbox.
• A further 515 – 27% – of dog attacks took place in the garden, drive or yard.
• And 118 – 6%- of attacks took place in the street or road.

Letterbox attacks were the subject of a 2020 High Court ruling that stated dog owners or those in care of a dog, can be prosecuted if the pets have free access to the letterbox and cause injury to any delivery operative, whether the owner is at home or not.

Only leafy Royal Tunbridge Wells posties reported a higher number of dog attacks 65 men and women hurt while delivering Royal Mail in the year to March 31, 2023. The Sheffield postcode followed Tunbridge Wells and Northern Ireland in third place with 50 attacks on posties.

And overall, dog attacks on Royal Mail staff resulted in more than 3,014 days of absence in 2022/23 with the longest period of absence being 139 days.

The top 10 UK postcode areas for dog attacks:

• Tunbridge Wells: TN : 65
• Northern Ireland: BT: 56
• Sheffield: S: 50
• Portsmouth : PO: 49
• Bristol: BS: 42
• Swansea: SA: 41
• Exeter: EX: 38
• Nottingham: NG: 37
• Brighton : BN and Oxford: OX : both had 34 attacks

A spokesperson for the company, said: “Royal Mail knows that dogs are not inherently dangerous, but even the most placid animal can be prone to attack if it feels either it or its territory is being threatened.

“Royal Mail is committed to ensuring the welfare and safety of our people who provide a valuable service to our customers across the length and breadth of the UK and in every community.

Lizz Lloyd, Health & Safety Director, Royal Mail, said: “We are concerned to see attacks on our staff have increased this year.

“We know the number of attacks rises during the school holidays and in the summer months when parents and children are at home and dogs are sometimes allowed unsupervised in the garden or out onto the streets without restraints. So, while we want our customers to enjoy being outside with their pets, we also want to ask them to consider the danger unsupervised dogs pose to our colleagues.”

Dave Joyce, National Health & Safety Officer, Communication Workers’ Union, said: “The key objective of Dog Awareness Week is primarily to remind the public to be aware of their legal and moral responsibilities to control their dogs and prevent dog attacks on postal workers who are providing them with a great public service.”

To get the latest dog news straight to your inbox sign up to our free DOG NEWSLETTER

For all the latest dog news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here.