Postmen Urge Better Dog Control

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 - will be 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.

Not all dogs are 'bad' though - just territorial by nature - with Lisburn Postman Liam Redman and Snowie the Dog (pictured) showing the relationship can be positive

However, Royal Mail Safety Director, Tom O'Kane, takes the issue seriously and 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," he said.

"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 some tips."

These include keeping dogs indoors around the time your postman usually calls to deliver your mail and if opening the door to speak with the postman, (to receive a package or sign for an item of mail) then put the dog in another room where it can not push past you at the door.

Also, 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 put at risk.

See: Royal Mail Goes 'Barking' For Dog Charity

(BMcC/GK)