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Royal Mail is asking customers to place 11 words in their windows to help protect postal workers, following an increase in dog attacks on delivery personnel. According to Royal Mail, over 2,000 staff members are attacked by dogs annually, with numerous incidents taking place at front doors or through letterboxes.
In light of this, the organisation is urging households with dogs to take preventative measures, including displaying warnings for postal workers on front doors and windows.
A downloadable postcard available on the Royal Mail website states: “I HAVE A DOG. Please wait while I secure my dog before opening the door”.
The notice can be obtained free of charge and should be positioned somewhere clearly visible during deliveries. Customers may also create their own “I have a dog” notice.
Royal Mail has confirmed that postal workers are always prepared to wait while dogs are secured in another room or behind a gate, reports the Liverpool Echo.
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According to Royal Mail, injuries to postal workers can include severe bites to hands through letterboxes as well as attacks from dogs which escape from properties or gardens when postal staff arrive.
Figures published on the Royal Mail website in June 2025 showed that attacks on postal workers by dogs increased by 2% over the past year, reaching 2,197 incidents.
This equates to approximately 42 attacks each week nationwide, with some delivery personnel sustaining permanent or life-changing injuries. Dog attacks are not only hazardous but could also lead to postal deliveries to your address being suspended. Royal Mail stated: “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.”
Alongside displaying the warning sign, dog owners are urged to ensure their pets are kept well out of the way before answering the door, preferably in a separate room.
For properties with rear or side gardens, gates should be kept shut to stop dogs from reaching the front of the house during a delivery.
It is also recommended that distracting dogs with treats or a toy while mail is being delivered could help reduce agitation.
To prevent dogs from attacking mail and postal workers’ fingers through the letterbox, wire letterbox cages can be fitted around the letterbox on the inside of the door.
Dog owners could also install an alternative postbox at the boundary of the property, away from where any dogs are likely to be.
