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Households urged to be responsible during this busy time of year, or risk having their post service cancelled
UK households could be temporarily banned from getting their post if an incident occurs until safety measures are put in place.
- Increased workload ahead of Christmas: With Christmas just weeks away, postal workers will be responsible for ensuring that cards, presents, and more arrive where they need to be in time for December 25. Royal Mail expects a record number of parcel deliveries and millions of cards to be sent, with the period being the busiest of the year.
- Pets may cause a problem: Even the most lovable dog can be a danger to postal staff, according to Royal Mail. Dogs are territorial by nature, and if they feel they need to protect their family, they can become unpredictable.
- Thousands of incidents per year: Royal Mail claims that around 2,000 postal delivery workers are injured by dogs each year, both big and small. It says some lead to permanent and disabling injuries.
- Risk of being banned: If this occurs, Royal Mail must notify the police and temporarily suspend all deliveries to the address until safety measures are in place. This is standard policy for the Royal Mail in the UK and applies not only to injuries but even to perceived threats.
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- Where were postal workers hurt? The latest available figures show that 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 or driveway, and there were 183 (8%) attacks in the street or road.
- What happens legally to pet owners? Pet owners in England and Wales can be punished under the Dangerous Dogs Act (1991). The law was updated to cover attacks on private property, such as a homeowner’s garden or entryway, ensuring postal workers are protected while on their rounds. Following changes to the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 in May 2014, a dog may be seized, and the owner and/or the person in charge of the dog may be prosecuted if that dog attacks anyone in any place.
- What has the Royal Mail said? As part of its dog awareness scheme, a statement online reads: “Never open the door to a postie when your dog is not secured away. Invest in a letter cage or external delivery point to stop bites through the letterbox. Close doors and gates to prevent loose dogs reaching the delivery point. Your mail can be suspended if a safe delivery point is not provided.”
- How can owners prevent attacks? One of the easiest things you can do if you’re home when a delivery arrives is keep your dog in a separate room or behind a safety gate when the doorbell rings. It might also be helpful to install a wire letter catcher when you’re not home. This can prevent your dog from attacking the postal worker’s fingers or tearing into your mail.
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- Make it clear: The Royal Mail website provides a downloadable postcard that people can print and display on their door or window. The website reads: “This lets anyone delivering to your property know that you have a dog and asks them to wait whilst you secure your dog before opening the door.”
- Serious injury and distress: Lizz Lloyd, Health and Safety Director at Royal Mail, said: “Dog attacks remain one of the most significant safety risks faced by postal workers. In many cases, these incidents result in serious injuries, emotional distress, and time away from work. Royal Mail continues to call on the public to be vigilant and responsible by securing their pets before opening the door to receive mail or packages. We continue to invest in safety training and awareness campaigns for both employees and the public, but emphasise that community cooperation is essential to reducing these incidents.”
READ MORE: Royal Mail issues warning to 25 UK postcodes expecting deliveries
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