Spirit FM – News – Royal Mail reveals where posties are most likely to be attacked by dogs

The Royal Mail has said that 65 incidents were recorded in the area over 12 months, which includes Worthing, Littlehampton, Arundel, Lancing, Steyning and Shoreham.

They were among a total of 2,484 attacks across the country – with an average of 47 postmen and women being affected every week.

These attacks rise during the school holidays and in the summer months when parents and children are at home with dogs sometimes allowed unsupervised in the garden or out onto the streets without restraints.

The Royal Mail has launched its seventh successive Dog Awareness Week and are appealing to dog owners to ensure they understand the effects dog attacks can have on postmen and women, including the risk of permanent and sometimes disabling injuries.

Last financial year, an attack on a postman in Paisley, Scotland, meant he was unable to work for three months because of the attack. The owner was later prosecuted in the courts.

Tina O’Toole, a postwoman for three years, from Warrington in Cheshire was delivering to a house with a Staffordshire / Terrier cross, when she was attacked and bitten on her leg in the front garden of the property.

Her injuries required hospital treatment, a skin flap and possibly physiotherapy in the future.

“I had only been delivering there a couple of weeks; I was aware there was a dog at the premises as I had heard it when I had delivered previously but I’d never seen the dog outside.

“One the day of the attack I posted the mail and was surprised there was no barking. Once I had delivered the mail I turned to leave the premises when I heard the dog barking and running up behind me.

“As I was attempting to get through the gate I felt pain to my right calf.

“I’ve been off work now for five weeks and I’m just about to return. I’d just ask customers, please don’t have your dog loose in the garden when we are on our rounds.

“Owners are responsible for their dogs – no matter where there are. Owners often say their dogs won’t bite but there is no guarantee.

“Any dog can become aggressive and attack.”

Tina O’Toole

Here are some ideas to help your postman deliver your post in safety:

• Ensure your dog is out of the way before the postman or woman arrives. Place your pet in the back garden or a faraway room.
• If you have a back garden, please close off the access, in case your dog could get round to the front when the postman calls.
• Dog attacks can happen when you’ve opened the door to sign for an item. Please keep your dog in another room before answering the door and 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 postman’s fingers
• If it’s not practical for you to keep your dog away from a postman delivering your mail, please consider fitting a secure mailbox on the edge of your property.
• Please ensure your dog is microchipped, wearing a collar and tag and that your contact details on the tag and microchip are up to date.