Dog owners issued urgent Royal Mail warning that could lead to huge fine or jail

Dog owners are being warned they could be handed huge fines or even jail-time if their pets attack Royal Mail posties. Data from Royal Mail indicated there were 42 dog attacks a week in 2023 and 2024.

In the year to March 2024, 2,206 dog attacks were reported – a 15 per cent rise on the previous 12 months. Attacks causing serious injuries jumped by 148 per cent over the same period – from 33 to 82 year-on-year.

Lara O’Donnell, head of personal injury at CEL Solicitors, warned dog owners that postal workers could have a clear claim for compensation if they are attacked. She said: “Being injured at work is a serious matter that affects thousands of people in this country every year.

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“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.”

Ms O’Donnell added: “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.”

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, up from 25,291 reports in 2022.

As part of its Dog Awareness campaign, Royal Mail urges homeowners to ‘please help us protect your postie’. Its tips include:

• Never open the door to a postie when your dog is not secure away
• Invest in a letter cage or external delivery point to stop bites through the letterbox
• If your dog is running loose outdoors on your premises your mail can be suspended

According to Royal Mail, Portsmouth and Belfast were the areas where posties were most at risk. There were 62 attacks in both of these areas in the 12-month period up to March 2024.

There were 48 in both Bristol and Brighton, along with 44 in Plymouth. Almost half (49 per cent) of dog attacks happened at the front door, while around a quarter, 26 per cent, were in a garden or yard or on a driveway.

A total of 389 posties reported suffering injuries through the letterbox. According to the Communication Workers Union (CWU), about 1,000 postal workers had a finger or part of a finger bitten off through letterboxes in five years up to July last year.

Owners or those in charge of dogs can now be prosecuted following a 2020 High Court ruling under the Dangerous Dog Act. Courts can issue a fine or even send you to prison.

Posties can also pursue a claim for compensation for injuries sustained in the workplace due to employer negligence or unsafe working conditions.