Dog owners told to feed pet before post arrives and lock them in room for ten minutes after postman has left, under Royal Mail guidance

Dog owners should feed their pets before the postman arrives and lock them away for ten minutes after he leaves, the Royal Mail has said following a spate of attacks. 

Every week in the last year around 47 postmen and women were attacked by dogs in the course of their work, new figures show. 

There were 2,484 dog attacks on postal staff in the past year, representing an increase of 9% on the year previously. 

Attacks have left some mail workers with “permanent and disabling injury” the report said. 

In response the Royal Mail has issued a set of guidelines to dog owners to prevent further attacks in which it warns even the most lovable dog can pose a danger to delivery workers. 

Among the postal services’ advice is to give your dog some food to occupy them while mail is being delivered. 

Pet owners should shut their canines in a secure room when the postman comes knocking and  “wait 10 minutes after mail has arrived to let your pet back into your hallway”.

In several postcodes, attacks on postal workers have risen. Telford has seen the rate of dog attacks quadruple, Royal Mail said.