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Royal Mail has issued advice to help keep staff safe
Royal Mail is urging customers to display 11 words in their windows to help keep postal workers safe, following a rise in dog attacks on delivery staff. According to Royal Mail, more than 2,000 employees are attacked by dogs each year, with many incidents occurring at front doors or through letterboxes.
In response, the organisation is encouraging households with dogs to take precautions including displaying warnings for postal workers on front doors and windows.
A printable postcard available on the Royal Mail website reads: “I HAVE A DOG. Please wait whilst I secure my dog before opening the door”.
The sign can be downloaded for free and should be stuck somewhere that will be visible during delivery. Customers can also make their own “I have a dog” sign.
Royal Mail has assured customers that postal workers are always willing to wait while dogs are secured in another room or behind a gate.
According to the Royal Mail, injuries to postal workers can include serious bites to hands through letterboxes and also attacks from dogs which escape from houses or gardens when postal staff arrive.
Statistics published on the Royal Mail website in June 2025, revealed that attacks on postal workers by dogs rose by 2% during the past year, totalling 2,197 incidents.
This works out at roughly 42 attacks weekly across the country, with some delivery staff suffering permanent or life-altering injuries.
Dog attacks are not only dangerous but could also result in services to your address being suspended. Royal Mail said: “Around 2,000 posties like me are injured by dogs each year, both big and small. When this happens, we must inform the police and suspend deliveries to your address, as we can’t take the chance that the dog may attack again.”
As well as displaying the sign, dog owners are encouraged to ensure their pets are kept well away before answering the door, ideally in another room.
For properties with back or side gardens, gates should be closed to prevent dogs from reaching the front of the house during a delivery.
It is also suggested that distracting dogs with food or a toy while mail is being delivered could reduce agitation.
To prevent dogs attacking mail and postal workers’ fingers through the letterbox, wire letterbox cages can be installed around the letterbox on the inside of the door.
Dog owners could also fit an alternative mailbox at the edge of the property, away from where any dogs will be.
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