East Lancs posties reported dozens of dog attacks last year says Royal Mail

Of all of the Lancashire areas, Burnley had the highest number of reported dog attacks with six reported in 2021/2022, two more than 20/21.

In Hyndburn and Pendle three dog attacks were reported.

In Rossendale, the Ribble Valley, and Darwen, one dog attack was reported last year.

Thankfully, there weren’t any reports of postal worker dog attacks Blackburn in 21/22; down from the three were reported in 2020/2021.

Over the last 10 years, 98 dog attacks have been reported in East Lancashire, with the majority of the reports coming from Burnley (34) and Blackburn (27).

A few years ago, Blackburn postmen were attacked by a dangerous American bulldog called Winston, causing delivery chaos in several streets.

In February 2014, Winston bit a postie on the arm in Worcester Road after the animal escaped the grasp of a child who was holding on to it.

Winston the dog at his former home in Worcester Road, Blackburn

And then in July of that year a postie in Surrey Road, around the corner from Worcester Road, was confronted by the dog.

A court hearing was told Winston ran towards the postie baring his teeth.

The dog then snatched a bundle of mail out of his hand and the postie had to hide behind a tree before managing to get through a garden gate.

People in Brecon Road and Monmouth Road, Blackburn, didn’t have mail delivered for a time after bosses at Royal Mail discovered the American bulldog was now living in the area.

How many dog attacks have been reported in the UK?

Today Royal Mail revealed there were 1,673 dog attacks reported on its staff last year, an average of 32 attacks every week across the UK, with some leading to permanent and disabling injuries.

Thankfully, the total number of attacks represents a one per cent drop during 2021/22.

This is the second year running Royal Mail has reported a reduction in dog attacks on its staff (last year saw a 31 per cent decline), thought again to be attributed by the move to contact free deliveries during the pandemic

The figures have been released at the start of the 10th Dog Awareness Week which runs to July 10 and aims to encourage responsible dog ownership.

Royal Mail is appealing to dog owners to ensure they understand the often-devastating impact of dog attacks on postal workers and take proper measures to ensure their pets pose no threat to postal workers through responsible dog ownership.

As in previous years, the majority of dog attacks, 654 (39 per cent), took place at the front door. A further 498 (30 per cent) of dog attacks took place in the garden, driveway or yard. Eight per cent (134) of attacks took place in the street or road.

There were 387 injuries suffered through the letterbox – accounting for 23 per cent of attacks on postal workers.

Letterbox attacks were the subject of a 2020 High Court ruling that stated dog owners (or those in care of a dog) can be prosecuted if their pets have free access to the letterbox and cause injury to any delivery operative, whether the owner is at home or not.

Dog attacks on Royal Mail colleagues resulted in more than 1,712 days of absence in 2021/22 with the longest period of absence being 238 days.

Royal Mail knows dogs are not inherently dangerous, but, even the most placid animal can be prone to attack if it feels either it or its territory is being threatened. 

Royal Mail is committed to ensuring the welfare and safety of our people who provide a valuable service to our customers across the length and breadth of the UK and in every community.

Philip Graham, Royal Mail Interim Director of Safety, Health, Wellbeing & Sustainability said: “We are pleased to see a slight decrease in dog attacks on our team this past year.

“However, as we begin to return to pre-pandemic delivery procedures, we want to ask our customers to continue to be aware of where their pets are when the postman delivers their mail.

“We know the number of attacks rises during the school holidays and in the summer months when parents and children are at home and dogs are sometimes allowed unsupervised in the garden or out onto the streets without restraints – so while we want our customers to enjoy being outside with their pets, we also want to ask them to consider the danger unsupervised dogs pose to our colleagues.”

Dave Joyce, National Health & Safety Officer, Communication Workers’ Union, said: “Dog attacks remain a major safety hazard and concern for postmen and women across the UK and the scale of the problem shouldn’t be underestimated.

“I have written to the DEFRA Secretary of State George Eustice calling for a meeting to  discuss what more the government and police can do to toughen up the dog control laws  – such is my concern.

“The key objectives of Dog Awareness Week are to primarily remind the public to be aware of  their legal and moral responsibilities to control their pets and prevent dog attacks on postal workers – and secondly is a message to our Postmen and Women to be vigilant, keep safe and take no risks.”