Plea to keep pets under control after attacks on Lisburn posties

Over the past year a third of all accidents suffered by postmen and women involved dogs and since the start of 2011 the situation has become worse.

Two serious attacks have taken place in Lisburn in the last few months, along with a range of minor incidents. Last year, the Lisburn City Council area experienced approximately one incident per month.

Royal Mail Safety Director, Tom O’Kane, said: “The number of incidents tends to peak during the summer months when more children and parents are at home, and pets – especially dogs – will be out of the house in the garden or in the streets, often without restraints.

“Clearly, most people would be appalled to think their pet would harm anyone. However, even the most lovable of dogs can pose a potential risk to postmen and women. Dogs are territorial by nature and can quickly become unpredictable if they feel they need to protect their owner.”

Postmen and women 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.

Mr O’Kane added that some of the incidents resulted in “minor nips but the more serious ones needed stitches and tetanus injections. Regardless of the severity of the injury, each one is a very frightening experience for our delivery postmen and women.

“Royal Mail is delivering more packets and parcels than ever before and this means that, in a lot of cases, our employees have to call at the door to hand an item over. We are noticing that this is fast becoming one of the key situations when our employees are being attacked.”