Related Articles
Royal Mail has issued some important advice to help, such as putting up a four-word warning sign in windows and doors, and installing a wire letter holder.
It comes as the postal service has said the result of some dog attacks on its workers has resulted in “private prosecutions” against pet owners.
How many postmen get bitten by dogs?
The most recent figures released by the Royal Mail in June 2025 revealed that 2,197 dog attacks on staff were reported throughout the past year, which marked a 2% increase compared to the previous reporting period.
Ultimately, the figure equated to an average of 42 attacks every week across the UK, with some leading to “permanent and disabling injuries”.
However, 2025 saw a reduction in attacks causing “serious and significant injury” to postal workers, according to Royal Mail, but it said the records were still “unacceptably high”.
There were 74 significant injuries recorded in 2024/25 compared to the 82 reported in 2023/24 – a 10% reduction.
Royal Mail added at the time of the report: “As in previous years, nearly half of dog attacks, 1,005 (46%), took place at the front door.
“A further 606 (28%) dog attacks took place in the garden, drive or yard. There were 183 (8%) attacks in the street or road.
“There were 403 injuries suffered through the letterbox – accounting for 18% of attacks on postal workers.
“Dog attacks on Royal Mail colleagues resulted in 2,700 days of absence in 2024/25 with the longest period of absence being 108 days.”
How to stop a dog biting a postman?
For those who want to help their postman or postwoman deliver post safely to their house, Royal Mail has shared some top tips.
The postal service has suggested ensuring your dog is out of the way before the postman or postwoman arrives, and to place your pet in the back garden or a faraway room.
Additionally, it warns people that they should never open the door to their postman or postwoman when their dog is behind them.
Other vital advice issued by Royal Mail which could stop your dog biting its workers includes:
- If you have a back garden, close off the access, in case your dog could get around to the front when the postman or postwoman calls
- Give your dog some food or a toy to occupy them while your mail is being delivered
- Wait 10 minutes after your mail has arrived to let your pet back into your hallway – keep everything as calm and low-key as possible
- If your dog likes to attack your mail, consider installing a wire letter receptacle – it will protect your post, and your postman’s or postwoman’s fingers
- Consider fitting a secure mailbox on the edge of your property if it’s not practical for you to keep your dog away from a postman or postwoman delivering your mail
Additionally, Royal Mail urges households to put up a sign on doors and windows that reads “I HAVE A DOG. Please wait whilst I secure my dog before opening the door”.
This lets anyone delivering to your property know that you have a dog and asks them to wait patiently whilst you secure your dog before opening the door.
A template of this can be downloaded and printed from the postal service’s website.
What happens if a dog bites a postal worker?
Royal Mail says it continues to “push for changes” in the law to reflect the severity of dog attacks as a further form of protection for its people.
On its website, the postal service explains: “Following changes to the Dangerous Dogs Act in England and Wales that came into force in May 2014, Royal Mail has carried out over 30 private prosecutions against dog owners.
“This has punished offenders and further raised awareness.
“It is hoped that these actions will prevent further attacks by forcing owners to put in place control measures to ensure a dog does not attack again.”
It continues: “We have also successfully launched two actions in the High Court that settled the law in relation to the criminal liability of dog owners when postal workers have their fingers bitten while posting items through a letterbox.
“These cases clarified the law in regard to whether fingers inserted through a letter box amounted to a trespass and thus gave the householder a potential defence.
“The Court held that provided it was for the purpose of posting mail, no trespass was committed.
“In summing up the judge mentioned that a cage being fitted would go some way to preventing some of the terrible injuries suffered by our colleagues.”
Are you worried about your dog biting a postman or postwoman? Let us know in the comments below.
