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Dog owners have been warned they should take out comprehensive insurance as they could face a huge claim for compensation if someone gets bitten. Statistics from Royal Mail showed 2,206 dog attacked reported in the year up to March 2024 – a 15 per cent increase on the previous 12 months.
Attacks causing serious injuries soared by 148 per cent over the same period, from 33 to 82 year on year. The figures represent 42 attacks a week by dogs on postmen and women. Lara O’Donnell, Head of Personal Injury at CEL Solicitors, said postal workers involved in incidents could have a clear claim for compensation.
The legal expert explained: “Being injured at work is a serious matter that affects thousands of people in this country every year. But when it comes to postal workers being attacked by dogs, this is often more an issue with the pet owner, as it is their responsibility to ensure their animal is under control and does not pose a risk to the public.
“However, if the employer did not take reasonable steps to make their employee safe, they could then be liable.”
Last year it was revealed via the Freedom of Information Act that overall dog attacks recorded by police forces in England and Wales rose by 21 per cent in 2023. There were 30,539 offences of a canine injuring a person or guide dog, which was up from 25,291 reports in 2022.
Advice from Royal Mail as part of their Dog Awareness campaign urges homeowners to “Please help us protect your postie”.
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Royal Mail research shows Portsmouth and Belfast were the areas where posties were most at risk – each witnessing 62 attacks in the 12-month period up to March last year. Bristol and Brighton (both 48), and Plymouth (44) made up the top five letter-delivery danger zones.
Almost half (49%) of dog attacks took place at the front door, while around a quarter (26%) were in a garden or yard, or on a driveway. There were also 389 injuries suffered through the letterbox, for which owners or those in charge of dogs can now be prosecuted following a 2020 High Court ruling.
According to the Communication Workers Union (CWU), around 1,000 postal workers had a finger or part of a finger bitten off through letterboxes in five years up to July last year. It’s an issue that not only affects posties, as the rise of online shopping is also putting other delivery workers in the firing line.
In 2022 an Amazon delivery driver was left with multiple wounds when he was bitten by a large French Mastiff breed in South Wales. He had to drive himself to hospital after receiving wounds to the hand and forearm.
Ms O’Donnell said: “If you are attacked by a dog you should report it to the police as soon as possible. “And for pet owners, it is important to have comprehensive insurance in case a situation like this arises.”
You can pursue a claim for compensation for injuries sustained in the workplace due to employer negligence or unsafe working conditions. Payouts – severity and impact of your injuries and the financial losses incurred – can help with medical expenses, lost wages, pain, and other costs.
To bring an accident at work claim you must act within three years of the date of injury.
