Royal Mail’s important advice for dog owners after four word sign warning

Royal Mail is urging dog owners to take simple safety steps to protect both their pets and postal workers.

While the thought of a dog excitedly greeting you at the door every time you come home may be heartwarming, not everyone shares the same enthusiasm – especially postal workers. Dogs, even the friendliest ones, can act unpredictably when protecting their home.

This behaviour can put posties and delivery staff at risk. Statistics published on the Royal Mail website on June 30, 2025, reveal that dog attacks on postal workers increased by 2 per cent over the past year, totalling 2,197 incidents.

That works out to around 42 attacks every week across the country, so roughly seven incidents on each of the six working days. Tragically, some delivery staff suffered permanent or life-altering injuries after being attacked.

Now, Royal Mail is offering advice for dog owners to ensure their post is delivered safely, on time and without putting the postal worker at risk. The national postal firm’s official website includes a dedicated section on dog awareness.

On that page, a message reads: “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 safely by keeping your dog secure and out of the way before the post person arrives.”

A video on the postal services website further explains the risks and provides guidance for dog owners to keep both their pets and postal workers safe.

The video states: “2,000 posties are injured by dogs each year. 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.

“Can I please ask for your support so this doesn’t happen and I can get home safely to my family today? I know that you love your dog, and I also want to make sure your dog is kept safe while I deliver your post. By taking a few simple steps, together we can make sure your dog is kept safe and I am too.”

The video goes on to give four safety steps which are essential for dog owners to know before they get their post delivered.

Royal Mail’s four safety steps for dog owners:

• Please don’t open the door until your dog is safely secured. Please put them in another room or behind a gate first. Don’t worry, I will wait.
• Please close gates and doors to stop your dog from getting loose. If you have a back or side garden, please make sure your dog cannot get out and that gates and doors are closed.
• Install a letterbox cage. Sometimes dogs attack or snatch mail from the letterbox, and this can cause serious injuries to posties as well as injuries to the dog. If you can install a letterbox cage at the back of your door, it will protect your post, your dog, and your postie’s fingers.
• If you can’t take any of these steps, then please consider fitting a secure mailbox on the edge of your property.

Additionally, Royal Mail recommends printing a sign that reads: “I have a dog. Please wait whilst I secure my dog before opening the door.”

The official sign is available on the Royal Mail website.

This sign informs the postie to wait while the dog is secured in another room and prevents them from leaving too quickly, ensuring safety for both the pet and the delivery worker.

By following these simple steps, dog owners can help protect their pets and ensure postal workers can deliver mail safely.