According to Royal Mail, there were 2,206 dog assaults in the 12 months ending in March 2024, a 15% rise from the previous year.
The severity of some of these attacks resulted in long-term and incapacitating injuries for the postmen and women.
During the timeframe, 82 attacks resulting in serious and significant injuries to postal workers were reported, as opposed to 33 attacks during the previous 12 months.
In 2023–2024, there were almost 2,273 days of absence due to dog attacks, with the longest absence being 197 days.
In an effort to encourage dog owners to exercise greater caution and responsibility, Royal Mail has started its yearly Dog Awareness Week.
Plymouth, Portsmouth, Belfast, Bristol, Brighton, and Bristol were determined to be among the areas with the highest risk.
The Communication Workers’ Union’s Dave Joyce, the health and safety officer, reported a “very concerning increase” in the number of dog bite incidences and serious dog assaults on postal workers.
He continued, saying that the main goal of Dog Awareness Week is to serve as a reminder to the public of their moral and legal obligations to keep their dogs under control and to stop dogs from attacking postal workers who are doing a fantastic job serving the public.
