Almost 2,200 dog attacks were recorded on Royal Mail staff in the UK last year, the organisation has said. The highest number of incidents occurred in the Sheffield and Portsmouth post codes, with 66 and 60 attacks respectively. The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has raised concerns that dogs purchased during the Covid pandemic were more likely to display problem behaviours. A Royal Mail spokesperson said "dog attacks remain one of the most significant safety risks faced by postal workers". Ellenore King-Voisin, from Farnborough, Hampshire, was delivering mail to a property with two dogs – one of which she was concerned had an aggressive temperament. "The dog jumped up at me and bit me three times just above the right knee. When I looked down, I could see the flesh on my leg hanging," she said. She started screaming which caused the owner and his daughter to come rushing out. "I also startled the dog as it ran back into the house. I had to do my own first aid as the man and his daughter were crying," she recalled Ms King-Voisin was taken to A&E, where her wound was treated and she was given a tetanus jab. As a result of the attack, she was off work for three weeks. "If I hear or see a dog now – any dog - I'll freeze. I'll literally stop and wait until the owner walks past me because there's no way I'm taking a chance. "I feel as though I have to be ready to fight off an attack rather than it happen and I'm not aware," she said. Royal Mail said there were 2,197 dog attacks on its staff in the 2024-25 financial year. That is down slightly from 2,206 the year before but the organisation included 53 weeks in the 2023-24 financial year. Adjusting for that extra week, 2024-25 is up 2% on the year before. Royal Mail reported a drop in significant injuries from dog attacks. There were 74 recorded last year, down from 82 in 2023-24. The Sheffield postcode had the most incidents, with 66 reported, followed by 60 in the Portsmouth area. Dr Rowena Packer of the RVC said she was concerned a rise in dog ownership during the pandemic meant there are more dogs that "were less likely to be exposed to strangers visiting the home". "There's going to be more dogs that are uncomfortable with having strangers, potentially strangers in an unusual outfit." An RVC study published last yearsuggested dogs bought in the pandemic had higher rates of problem behaviours. "We've got this current population of dog owners that don't have previous experience, that might be receiving unreliable and potentially dangerous advice on how to train their dog online," Dr Packer said. She added that "older dogs can be taught an appropriate response". "One of the things I think people really miss out of their dog training is training dogs to settle, to relax, to go somewhere." Lizz Lloyd, health and safety director at Royal Mail, said: "Dog attacks remain one of the most significant safety risks faced by postal workers." "In many cases, these incidents result in serious injuries, emotional distress, and time away from work. "Royal Mail continues to call on the public to be vigilant and responsible by securing their pets before opening the door to receive mail or packages."
Almost 2,200 dog attacks on Royal Mail staff last year
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"Royal Mail Reports Nearly 2,200 Dog Attacks on Staff in Last Year"
Bbc News
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TruthLens AI Summary
In the UK, Royal Mail reported nearly 2,200 dog attacks on its staff during the last financial year, highlighting a significant safety concern for postal workers. The highest incidence of attacks was noted in the Sheffield and Portsmouth areas, with 66 and 60 incidents respectively. The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) expressed worries that the increase in dog ownership during the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a rise in aggressive behaviors among pets. Ellenore King-Voisin, a postal worker, shared her harrowing experience of being bitten by a dog while delivering mail, resulting in severe injuries that required medical attention. This incident reflects the broader issue of worker safety, as many postal employees now report feeling anxious around dogs, often feeling the need to prepare for potential attacks rather than simply delivering mail. Royal Mail has indicated that while the total number of dog attacks has slightly decreased from the previous year, the adjusted figures show a 2% increase in incidents compared to the year before due to the inclusion of an extra week in reporting periods.
Experts from the RVC noted that many dogs purchased during the pandemic may not have been adequately socialized, leading to discomfort with strangers, particularly those in uniforms. Dr. Rowena Packer emphasized that many new dog owners lack experience and may receive misleading training advice online. She advocated for proper training practices that help dogs learn to relax and respond appropriately to visitors. Lizz Lloyd, the health and safety director at Royal Mail, reiterated the need for pet owners to take responsibility by ensuring their dogs are secured before opening doors to postal staff. The emotional and physical toll of these attacks is significant, as they often result in serious injuries and prolonged absences from work for affected employees. As such, Royal Mail continues to urge the public to be mindful of their pets' behavior and to take preventive measures to protect postal workers from potential attacks.
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