Dog owners asked to spare a thought for safety of posties

ROYAL Mail is appealing to pet owners to keep animals under control when the postman or woman calls with mail. Over the past year a third of all accidents suffered by Royal Mail employees have involved dogs with, on average, two incidents per week across Northern Ireland.

These occur particularly during the summer months when more children and parents are at home, and pets - especially dogs - are out of the house in the garden or in the streets without restraints.

Royal Mail employees are being advised to take particular care when delivering mail over the next few months and many are being trained on how to best avoid an attack when confronted by an angry dog.

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Royal Mail Safety Director, Tom O’Kane, said: “Last year in Northern Ireland there were over 100 reported instances where our employees suffered a dog attack and early indications for this year would suggest similar results, unless we can do something differently. Some of these attacks resulted in minor nips but the more serious ones needed stitches and tetanus injections and all are very frightening experiences for our delivery postmen and women.

“While we appreciate that not all dogs are dangerous, even the most placid dog can become very protective of its owners or territory and, surprisingly, we have seen an increase in the number of attacks where the owner is present.

“Our first priority as an employer is to ensure the safety of our people who provide a valuable service to our customers and we would request that dog owners help keep their postman or woman safe by following the top tips listed below.”

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

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Here are some ideas to help your postman or woman deliver your post safely:

• Do keep your dog indoors around the time your postman usually calls to deliver your mail.

• If you have to open the door to speak with the postman, (to receive a package or sign for an item of mail), put the dog in another room where it cannot push past you at the door.

• Be careful if your children answer the door as the dog may push past them.

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• If your dog is allowed to run loose on your property as in in the garden or to the rear of the house, ensure that there is safe access to your letterbox which the dog cannot access.

• If it’s not practical for you to keep your dog away from the postman delivering your mail, please consider fitting a secure mailbox on the edge of your property so that the postman does not need to enter your property and be at risk.