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Royal Mail is urging customers to take action or they may risk their deliveries being suspended, missing out on vital letters and parcels
Royal Mail is urging customers to take immediate action, warning that failure to do so could result in the company “suspending deliveries to your address.” According to a statement on the Royal Mail website, the number of dog attacks on postal staff increased by 2 per cent over the past year.
This amounted to a total of 2,197 incidents, equivalent to around 42 attacks every week across the UK. While the number of serious injuries fell by 10 per cent, dropping from 82 to 74, Royal Mail emphasised that the overall level of danger remains unacceptably high.
Some postal workers have even sustained permanent or disabling injuries as a result of these attacks. Because of this, the company says making a few simple changes can help keep both deliveries on schedule and postal workers safe.
One of the easiest steps involves displaying a four-word postcard that reads: “I have a dog.” The printable postcard alerts delivery staff in advance, allowing them to wait while homeowners secure their dog – such as placing them in another room – before opening the door.
Royal Mail has reassured customers that delivery workers will wait for you to answer, helping to reduce the risk of injury while ensuring mail can still be delivered to your door.
In a letter sent to customers, Royal Mail acknowledged that receiving letters and parcels is important, but stressed that its priority is ensuring deliveries are made safely. The letter states that its role is “to get these items to you safely and I’m hoping that you can help me with that.”
The message then highlights a stark statistic, adding: “Around 2,000 posties like me are injured by dogs each year, both big and small. When this happens, we must inform the Police and suspend deliveries to your address as we can’t take the chance that the dog may attack again.”
Calling for support, it urged pet owners to keep the following points in mind:
- Please don’t open the door until your dog is safely secured
- Please put them in another room or behind a gate first and don’t worry, I will wait!
- Close gates and doors to stop your dog getting loose.
- If you have a back or side garden, please make sure your dog can’t get out and gates and doors are closed
- Install a letter box cage as sometimes dogs attack or snatch mail from the letterbox and this can cause serious injuries to postie’s hands, including amputation of fingers, as well as causing injuries to the dog.
- Provide an alternative delivery point if you are struggling to do any of the above
The S postcode area of Sheffield recorded the highest number of dog attacks on postal workers, with 66 incidents in 2024/25, marking a 61 per cent increase from the previous year. It has now topped the high-risk list four times and has appeared on every list since postcode data began being published.
While the PO postcode area of Portsmouth ranked second, with 60 attacks, a slight 3 per cent decrease from 62 the year before. Despite the small drop, PO has remained among the most high-risk areas for eight consecutive years, and nine in total since Royal Mail started reporting the figures.
Royal Mail has also reinforced its warning with comments from senior leadership, highlighting the ongoing risks faced by posties and the importance of public cooperation in preventing further incidents.
Lizz Lloyd, Health & Safety Director at Royal Mail, explained: “Dog attacks remain one of the most significant safety risks faced by postal workers. In many cases, these incidents result in serious injuries, emotional distress, and time away from work. Royal Mail continues to call on the public to be vigilant and responsible by securing their pets before opening the door to receive mail or packages.
“We continue to invest in safety training and awareness campaigns for both employees and the public but emphasise that community cooperation is essential to reducing these incidents.”
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