Royal Mail reveals Bristol as 'high-risk' location for dog attacks
Dog owners can be prosecuted if their pets have free access to the letterbox and cause injury, whether they are home or not
Last updated 1st Jul 2024
Royal Mail says dog attacks on its workers are rising - with Bristol one of the most high risk locations.
There were just over 2,200 in the year to March, with 82 of the incidents causing serious injury across the UK - that means there are 42 dog-related incidents every week.
Royal Mail said these figures represent an increase of 15% on the previous 12 months, with some of the attacks causing permanent and disabling injuries to postmen and women.
This new research comes amid the postal service's annual 'Dog Awareness Week', with another plea for responsible dog ownership up and down the country.
Highest-risk locations were found to include Portsmouth, Belfast , Bristol, Brighton and Plymouth, with most of the dog attacks said to be taking place at the front door, garden, drive, yard - and some even in the street or road.
One in five incidents happened through letterboxes even though dog owners (or those in care of a dog) can be prosecuted if their pets have free access to the letterbox and cause injury to any delivery worker whether the owner is at home or not.
Dog attacks resulted in more than 2,273 days of absence in 2023/24, with the longest period of absence being 197 days.
Lizz Lloyd, Royal Mail's health & safety director, said: "We are saddened and disappointed to see attacks on our staff continue to increase.
"Dog attacks have a devastating effect on our people, and we are appealing to dog owners to think twice when the postman calls.
"All dog attacks can have life-changing consequences for victims, even when the physical injury is not significant.
"Almost half of attacks happen at the front door and over a quarter in the front garden, so this is not just a Royal Mail issue, many other organisations face the same problem."
Dave Joyce, health & safety officer at the Communication Workers' Union, said: "Dog-bite incidents and severe dog attacks are continuing to experience a very concerning increase and upwards trend across the UK and that constitutes a growing risk and occupational safety and health problems for postal workers.
"The key objective of Dog Awareness Week is primarily to remind the public to be aware of their legal and moral responsibilities to control their dogs and prevent dog attacks on postal workers who are providing them with a great public service.
"The public need to be aware that if their dog attacks a postal worker, they can be prosecuted."