Sussex Posties Most Likely To Get Attacked By Dogs In Brighton

Royal Mail has today revealed figures showing there were 1,673 dog attacks on postmen and women last year with Brighton coming joint fourth in the UK of places where the most attacks took place.

Even the most lovable dog can be a danger to postal staff. Dogs are territorial by nature and if they feel the need to protect their family, they can become unpredictable.

In a postcode breakdown of attacks since 2013, there were 480 in the whole of Sussex, while in Brighton last year alone, there were 37 attacks, with some leading to permanent or disabling injuries.

It means that on average across the whole of the UK, there are around 32 attacks every week.

Although Royal Mail has seen a slight drop in attacks over the past couple of years (probably owing to more contactless deliveries since the pandemic) they say the number is still too high and today they're offering advice on how attacks can be avoided.

 Here are some ideas, provided by Royal Mail, to help your postman deliver your post in safety:

·    Ensure your dog is out of the way before the postman or postwoman arrives. Place your pet in the back garden or a faraway room.

·    Never open the door when your dog is behind you

·    If you have a back garden, close off the access, in case your dog could get around to the front when the postman or postwoman calls.

·    Dog attacks can happen when you’ve opened the door to sign for an item. Keep your dog in another room before answering the door and make sure children don’t open the door, as dogs can push by them and attack.

·    Give your dog some food or a toy to occupy them while your mail is being delivered

·    Wait 10 minutes after your mail has arrived to let your pet back into your hallway. Keep everything as calm and low-key as possible.

·    If your dog likes to attack your mail, consider installing a wire letter receptacle. It will protect your post, and your postman’s or postwoman’s fingers

·    If it’s not practical for you to keep your dog away from a postman or postwoman delivering your mail, consider fitting a secure mailbox on the edge of your property.

·    Ensure your dog is microchipped, wearing a collar and tag, and that your contact details on the tag and microchip are up to date.

As in previous years, the majority of dog attacks, 654 (39%), took place at the front door.

A further 498 (30%) of dog attacks took place in the garden, driveway or yard.

Finally, 134 (8%) of attacks took place in the street or road.

THROUGH THE LETTERBOX

There were 387 Injuries suffered through the letterbox - accounting for 23% of attacks on postal workers.

Letterbox attacks were the subject of a 2020 High Court ruling that stated 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 operative, whether the owner is at home or not.

In May 2017, a Royal Mail postman lost the tip of his finger while delivering to a customer’s address.

In October 2021 the dog owner was sentenced to a 12 months’ community order, 150 hours of unpaid work, £1000 in costs to Royal Mail, a victim surcharge of £85, and a suspended destruction order was placed on the dog.

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Sky News has reported on some recent case studies of attacks on postal workers by errant K9s:

Julie Mundy, based in Nantwich, Cheshire, spent five days in hospital, was off work for three months, and suffered from post-traumatic stress after her ordeal in 2019.

A postwoman for 19 years, she said a customer tried to hold the dog back but it got away and jumped at her, causing her to stumble backwards and fall on the ground, breaking her hip.

She said: "By then the dog was on top of me but I couldn't move - but I didn't realise at that point I had broken my hip. The customer came and dragged the dog off me and another neighbour from across the road came over to help.

"My arm was bleeding where the dog had bitten me because I had been trying to cover my face. The neighbour from across the road cleaned me up and bandaged my arm and called an ambulance. I had to remain on the floor in the garden as I couldn't walk."

She said she suffered from post-traumatic stress after the attack.

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Tim Murray, a Parcelforce Worldwide delivery driver from Plymouth, was left afraid of his own dog after being bitten on the hand when a customer's pet escaped through a fence in 2020.

He said: "The owner called his name. But it was too late. The dog had already bitten my hand. I was in a world of pain and shock, attempting to defend myself with my steel-capped boots, trying to keep the dog at bay. But the damage was done.

"I was the owner of a playful puppy at the time. I began avoiding him in fear of him jumping up or nibbling me. He would try and cuddle into me, bring me his toys and not leave my side. It's taken me over a year to enjoy the sight of another dog.

"I had an operation on the tendon in my hand and was in hospital for several days. I was told to avoid work for a week and only undertake light duties for six weeks."

The figures are published as Royal Mail launches Dog Awareness week, to help promote dog safety.

A special Dog Awareness Week postmark will be applied to all stamped items from 4 July to 8 July.

(c) Sky News 2022: Postal workers suffered more than 1,600 dog attacks in the last year, says Royal Mail