Portsmouth and Brighton have highest number of dog attacks on postmen and women

Overall the number of attacks have fallen by almost a third in the past year

Portsmouth and Brighton are seeing some of the highest numbers of dog attacks on postmen and women in the country. 

900 days of absence were reported by the Royal Mail because of dog attacks in the past year.

But overall, numbers of attacks have fallen by almost a third in the past year, mainly due to contact-free deliveries because of the pandemic. 

There were 1,690 dog incidents, compared with 2,445 in 2019/20

There were 1,690 dog incidents, compared with 2,445 in 2019/20, but Royal Mail said the number of attacks is still too high, with 33 every week, some of which lead to permanent and disabling injuries.

During the Covid-19 crisis Royal Mail launched contact-free delivery, enabling workers to take letters and parcels to the doorstep while adhering to social distancing measures.

Royal Mail launched its annual Dog Awareness Week with a plea to owners to ensure they understand the often "devastating" impact of dog attacks on postmen and women.

Most dog attacks take place at the front door, with others in gardens, driveways or through letterboxes.

Most dog attacks take place at the front door

Julie Mundy, a postwoman for 19 years, was off work for three months after an attack, and was left feeling terrified if she heard a dog barking.

"I was delivering a parcel to a customer. I had never seen a dog there because the owner had always kept it out of the way. On this occasion, somebody else came to the door for the parcel and brought the dog with them.

"Like many others, they tried to hold on to the dog while at the same time trying to accept their mail. This time the dog broke free and dived straight at me. I started back because I just wasn't expecting it and I fell on the kerb in the garden and broke my hip.

"My arm was bleeding where the dog had bitten me because I had been trying to cover my face."

The dog's owner received an 18-month suspended jail sentence.

900 days of absence were reported by the Royal Mail because of dog attacks in the past year.

Dr Shaun Davis, of Royal Mail, said: "We are pleased to see such a significant decrease in dog attacks on our staff this past year. However, 33 dog attacks per week on postal workers is still alarmingly high.

"We are aware that a change in our delivery procedures was the main factor for the reduction in attacks this year. We now need to build on this change, and further reduce the number of attacks on our people.

"So we are asking our customers and our colleagues not to become complacent as there is still much work to do in bringing the figure down even further."

Most dog attacks on postal workers happen at the front door or in the garden

Following changes to the Dangerous Dogs Act in England and Wales that came into force in 2014, Royal Mail has carried out more than 25 private prosecutions against dog owners.