Dog owners issued insurance warning as naughty pets could lead to huge bills

The number of dog attacks on postal workers has soared in the past year, with 2,206 incidents reported in the year up to March 2024

Dog owners are being urged to take out comprehensive insurance as they could be hit with a hefty compensation claim if their pet bites someone. A spike in dog attacks has been reported by Royal Mail, with 2,206 incidents occurring in the year leading up to March 2024, marking a 15 percent rise from the year prior.

Even more concerningly, serious injuries from such attacks have rocketed by 148 percent during the same timeframe. The stats show an alarming rate of 42 weekly attacks on postal staff. According to Lara O’Donnell, head of personal injury at CEL Solicitors, said postal workers affected by these encounters have a strong case for compensation, reports Wales Online

The solicitor said: “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.”

Data unearthed through the Freedom of Information Act last year showed that overall dog attack cases registered by police in England and Wales shot up by 21 percent in 2023. There were 30,539 instances of a hound injuring a person or guide dog, climbing from 25,291 reports in 2022.

The Royal Mail said: “Please help us protect your postie”. They have issued a set of tips, including:

According to Royal Mail research, Portsmouth and Belfast were the areas where postal workers were most at risk. Each experienced 62 attacks in the year leading up to March last year.

Bristol and Brighton (both with 48), and Plymouth (44) rounded out the top five danger zones for letter delivery. Almost half (49 percent) of dog attacks occurred at the front door, while around a quarter (26 percent) took place in a garden or yard, or on a driveway.

There were also 389 injuries caused by bites through the letterbox, for which dog owners or handlers can now be prosecuted following a 2020 High Court ruling. The Communication Workers Union (CWU) reported that approximately 1,000 postal workers had a finger or part of a finger bitten off through letterboxes in the five years leading up to July last year.

This issue doesn’t just affect postal workers – the rise of online shopping is also putting other delivery workers at risk. In 2022, an Amazon delivery driver was left with multiple wounds after being bitten by a large French Mastiff breed in South Wales. He had to drive himself to hospital after sustaining injuries to his hand and forearm.

Ms O’Donnell advised: “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.”

She also highlighted that individuals can seek compensation for injuries sustained at work due to employer negligence or unsafe working conditions. The compensation – which takes into account the severity and impact of your injuries as well as any financial losses suffered – can assist with medical bills, lost earnings, pain, and other expenses. Ms O’Donnell reminded that to make a claim for an accident at work, action must be taken within three years from the injury date.