Worksop: Royal Mail appeals to customers during Dog Awareness Week

Dog Awareness Week aims to raise understanding of dog attacks, the need for responsible dog ownership as well as appealing to dog owners to keep animals under control when the postman calls to over 29 million addresses across the UK.

Dog attacks are a significant hazard, faced by postmen and women on a daily basis.

Around 107 postmen and women were attacked across the S-postcode area by dogs from April 2013 to April 2014, a 10 per cent decrease on the previous year.

The number of attacks tends rise during the school holidays and in the summer months when parents and children are at home and dogs are sometimes allowed unsupervised in the garden, or out on to the street without restraints.

Rob Jenson, operations director north, said: “Following the success of last year’s campaign, there is growing awareness of the issue of dog attacks and the problems our postmen and women face when they are delivering the mail.”

“However, last year there were still too many incidents in the S postcode area and we need to reduce this number further as even one dog attack on our people is one too many.”

“We know that most dogs are not inherently dangerous. However, even the most placid animal can be prone to attack if it feels its territory is being threatened.”

“Our first priority as an employer is to ensure the welfare and safety of our people who provide a valuable service to our customers.”

“We appeal to dog owners in the S-postcode area to keep their pets under control, especially if they know their pets have a territorial nature.”

“It can also be simple things that help - for example just making sure the dog is kept inside when the postman calls.”

“Members of Parliament, councillors, political activists and other campaigners are also at risk from dog attacks when out canvassing and leafleting in their local areas.”

“Royal Mail’s main aim is always to prevent attacks as we believe if we feel that there is a risk from a dog, or any other animal, at an individual address, we are committed to working with the customer to agree simple steps to ensure we can continue to deliver the mail safely.”

“Royal Mail has already issued 90,000 special posting pegs to its postmen and women in the UK, to help protect against animal bites.”