Royal Mail Worker Appeals to Dog Owners Amid Rising Attack Concerns
A postal worker for Royal Mail has made a heartfelt appeal to dog owners, expressing growing unease after repeated incidents involving unrestrained or overly enthusiastic pets. In a public message shared on social media, the employee detailed how fear of injury from uncontrolled dogs is now impacting their ability to perform daily duties.
Increased Incidents of Uncontrolled Dogs
The postal worker recounted on Reddit, “It may be a string of unfortunate events, but the number of individuals failing to manage their dogs appears to be increasing on my route. Each day, I find myself requesting more residents to secure their dogs before I approach the door. One customer even labelled me ‘weird’ for raising the issue.”
The employee further explained, “This situation is significantly affecting my job satisfaction lately. I feel constantly on edge throughout my shifts.”
Alarming Rise in Dog Attacks on Postal Workers
Royal Mail statistics reveal a concerning trend, with over 2,200 dog attacks on postal workers recorded last year. This represents a 15% surge compared to the preceding 12 months, ending March 31, 2024. A company statement highlighted, “This figure translates to an average of 42 attacks weekly across the UK. Some of these attacks have resulted in severe, long-term injuries.”
Highest Risk Areas for Dog Attacks
Certain postcode areas are identified as hotspots for these incidents:
- Highest-Risk Postcodes: PO (Portsmouth) and BT (Belfast) – each recording 62 dog attacks on postal staff.
- Second Highest-Risk: BS (Bristol) and BN (Brighton) – both reporting 48 attacks.
- Third Highest-Risk: PL (Plymouth) – with 44 reported incidents.
Letterbox Attacks and Legal Implications
A significant portion of injuries, 389 in total, resulted from attacks through letterboxes, accounting for 18% of all incidents against postal workers. A 2020 High Court ruling established legal precedent on this issue. Dog owners, or those responsible for a dog, can face prosecution if their pet has unrestricted letterbox access and injures a delivery worker. This applies regardless of whether the owner is present at the property.
Solidarity from Fellow Postal Workers
Responding to the original post, a fellow postal worker offered advice: “If you encounter an unsafe dog, withdraw, mark the mail as ‘unsafe dog’. To customers who secure their dogs while I wait, your consideration is truly appreciated, thank you.”
Another commenter shared a personal experience: “I understand completely. Although I owned a large dog, he was restricted from accessing the hallway and front door due to stairs. Despite this, and even after my dog passed away eight months prior, I received a warning letter from Royal Mail about dog control, threatening delivery cessation.”
A third user suggested a proactive approach: “Perhaps a small advisory sticker on property owners’ mail could raise awareness and encourage safer environments for posties. I was unaware of the Royal Mail policy myself, but it seems like a sensible measure.”
Personal Accounts of Dog Attack Experiences
Another postal worker recounted a past incident: “I was bitten on the ankle about five or six years ago; it was painful. I agree that there appear to be significantly more dogs now compared to when I started 10 years ago.”
This user continued, “While company policy on unrestrained dogs is clear, I often rely on my own judgment. Most dogs are well-behaved, but it’s the owners that are often challenging. Those who struggle to control their dogs while opening doors, using a leg or collar to restrain them with just one hand on the door.”
Drawing from personal experience, the worker added: “Having owned a dog for 17 years, I understand territorial instincts. However, when expecting a visitor, I would simply secure my dog in another room. Property owners must understand Royal Mail’s policy: any dog bite incident can lead to the dog being euthanized and the owners prosecuted. Over 1,000 postal and delivery workers are bitten annually.”