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Last week The Royal Mail made yet another warning to dog owners in the UK that they would suspend deliveries to households where dogs were not kept under control.
This is the result of the high number of dog attacks on postal and other delivery workers.
Written on the Royal Mail website, it reveals that dog attacks on its staff rose by 2% over the past year, totalling 2,197 incidents. This averages out to 42 attacks every week across the UK.
While the number of “significant” injuries dropped by 10% (from 82 down to 74), the company stressed that the frequency of these incidents remains unacceptably high, with some postal workers suffering permanent or disabling injuries.
Stephen Hu, Founder of LitPet says: “Approximately 75% of dogs in the UK suffer from some sort of anxiety which can be a contributory factor in dog attacks. Even the most docile dog can lash out when feeling frightened, startled, hurt, confused or provoked, leading to a nightmare scenario for the injured party, the pet parent and their canine companion.
“The public need to be aware that if their dog attacks a postal worker, they will be prosecuted either by the Police, Local Authority or by Royal Mail via a private prosecution under the agreement between Royal Mail and the CWU. Police forces around the UK have also launched the LEAD (Local, Environmental, Awareness on Dogs) campaign which is all about encouraging the responsible ownership of all dog breeds – with the aim of improving public safety, reducing anti-social behaviour and ensuring dogs are looked after appropriately.”
There is a whole host of reasons why dogs may bite. It can be to do with behaviour fallout resulting from a lack of early positive exposure, experience and comfort of being handled. Other reasons a dog may bite could be to do with possessive guarding of items such as bowl, toy or bed. A dog may also be sensitive to handling or could be suffering with pain. Some dogs are fearful or are easily startled. Inappropriate handling especially from children can make a dog agitated. Some dogs are also easily redirected where a dog can become agitated on the leash and bite the first thing that comes to hand and this can then happen in the home environment leading to dog attacks
“One way to prevent dog attacks is to keep a dog calm and there are a number of ways of doing this. You can distract your dog with toys such as Kong or, LickiMats filled with food or paste. You can also purchase special pet diffusers which plug-in and give off a relaxing vibe to calm your dog. Internal gates and gates that expand across the front and back door can also prevent a dog from escaping. Long term we recommend administering a calming supplement to the dog,” says Stephen.
LitPet’s calming supplement
LitPet’s Pawsitive Powder is the first canine calming supplement to fuse Yin-Yang philosophy with clinically backed neuro-nutrients, offering a true solution to emotional wellness. Unlike typical calming aids that sedate, it restores natural balance — calming without dulling personality. Its formulation includes calming adaptogens (Valerian, Rhodiola), nourishing herbs (Ginseng, Schisandra), and nutrients like Lactium® and DHA, designed to modulate stress responses gently and effectively. The powdered format allows precise, flexible dosing and seamless blending into natural, raw, or fresh diets. No fillers, no artificial additives — just purposeful, synergistic ingredients for long-term use. There is truly nothing else like it on the market. It is available in 2 tub sizes and also in a new Meaty Mix meat paste version.
Alongside calming aids for dogs The Royal Mail is asking customers to make a few simple changes. One these includes a four-word postcard which reads ‘I have a dog’.
This simple yet effective printable postcard lets the delivery person know to wait until you have secured your dog, allowing you time to put them in another room.
Asking for support, The Royal Mail asks owners to remember the following:
- Please don’t open the door until your dog is safely secured
- Please put them in another room or behind a gate first and don’t worry, I will wait!
- Close gates and doors to stop your dog getting loose.
- If you have a back or side garden, please make sure your dog can’t get out and gates and doors are closed
- Install a letter box cage as sometimes dogs attack or snatch mail from the letterbox and this can cause serious injuries to postie’s hands, including amputation of fingers, as well as causing injuries to the dog.
Provide an alternative delivery point if you are struggling to do any of the above.
For further information please visit: www.litpet.co/en-uk
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