MRM:It's Dog Awareness Week

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This week is our third annual Dog Awareness Week. Working together with the CWU and a number of animal charities and organisations, we are raising awareness of the issue of dog attacks on postal workers and members of the public.

The campaign also highlights the need for responsible dog ownership, appealing to dog owners to keep their animals under control when our postmen and women call at their homes.

Reducing attacks

Nationally, the number of dog attacks on postal workers has fallen by 10% since last year, following a change in legislation and a greater understanding through our dog awareness campaigns.

However, on average eight postal workers a day are still attacked across the UK, with 2,960 attacks taking place from April 2014 - April 2015. Every dog attack on one of our people is one too many.

Top tips to stay safe

Never put your fingers through a letterbox – use a posting peg
If there is a gate to the property, rattle it and wait a few seconds to see if a dog is present
Never accept assurances – always ask owners to restrain their dogs and step away
Use your pouch or trolley as a barrier between you and a dog
Never tease or antagonise a dog
Report all dogs on your duty via the WRAP system

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Postman left wary after being bitten by ‘friendly’ dog

A Cheshire postman was left with two puncture marks on his arm after he was bitten by a dog he believed to be friendly.

Michael Cooper, a postman at Runcorn delivery office, was bitten by a Staffordshire Bull Terrier that he had met on a few previous occasions.

Michael said: ‘I’ve stroked this dog a few times in the past and it had never shown any sign of being aggressive. The day I got bitten, I saw the owner and the dog on the street and the dog came towards me still on its lead and wagging its tail, so I thought it would be safe.’

As he leaned forward to stroke it, the dog clamped his jaw onto to Michael’s arm - much to his surprise and the owner’s dismay.

‘The owner was distraught. She said the dog had never done anything like it before and she fetched me some kitchen paper to stop the bleeding.’

After the bite, Michael was taken to hospital where he was given a tetanus injection and a course of antibiotics. He has been left with a small scar.

Although he did not miss any work, Michael said the attack has left him much more wary of approaching dogs he meets on his delivery round.

‘I was upset by what happened and as a dog owner myself I’ve never been frightened of dogs, but I’m much more wary of them now,’ he said.

The incident was reported to police and the dog warden.

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Nationally, the number of dog attacks on postal workers has fallen by 10% since last year, following a change in legislation and a greater understanding through our dog awareness campaigns.

and the fact that we hate putting accidents on the system