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Royal Mail 'considering US-style post-boxes' to stop dog attacks on its posties

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TrueBlueTerrier
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Royal Mail 'considering US-style post-boxes' to stop dog attacks on its posties

Post by TrueBlueTerrier »

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/o ... d-24459238

It comes after the company reported that the number of dog attacks on its postal workers fell by nearly a third in the past year because of changes to deliveries during the pandemic

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Royal Mail could roll out US-style post-boxes in a bid to stop their workers being attacked by dogs, it has been reported.

Postal bosses are said to be drawing up plans to encourage customers with aggressive dogs to buy boxes opened with a QR code rather than letters being pushed through the door.

It comes after the company reported that the number of dog attacks on its posties fell by nearly a third in the past year because of changes to deliveries during the pandemic.

There were 1,690 dog incidents, compared with 2,445 the previous year, but the company said the number of attacks was still too high, with 33 each week, some leading to permanent and disabling injuries.

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

Speaking to the Daily Telegraph Dr Shaun Davis from Royal Mail, said the postal service was looking to build on those encouraging figures, and discussions were being had to find alternatives to posting through letterboxes.

He said: “In terms of what we can do to build on reducing dog attacks on postal workers, we are looking at options."

Those options could reportedly include externally-mounted post-boxes or locker-style post-boxes using a pin number or a QR code.

Dr Davies said any decision would have to be discussed with Ofcom.

“We wouldn’t mandate it, and we don’t endorse products, but we might tell customers struggling with a nervous or aggressive dog that they may want to consider this option,” he added.

Royal Mail is marking 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.

They resulted in more than 900 days of absence in 2020/21, with the most incidents reported in areas including parts of Brighton, Sheffield, Belfast, Portsmouth, Ipswich, Tunbridge Wells and Gloucester.

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.

Dave Joyce, of the Communication Workers Union, said: "Dog attacks remain a major safety hazard and concern for postmen and postwomen across the UK, and the scale of the problem shouldn't be under-estimated.

"There has been a huge increase in dogs purchased by new owners during the pandemic. This may add to postal workers' problems as recent research tells us that many of these dogs haven't been trained or socialised."

Royal Mail said it continues to push for changes in the law to reflect the severity of attacks.
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Re: Royal Mail 'considering US-style post-boxes' to stop dog attacks on its posties

Post by qwerty2 »

They should make people with letterboxes on bottom of doors to do this
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Re: Royal Mail 'considering US-style post-boxes' to stop dog attacks on its posties

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Re: Royal Mail 'considering US-style post-boxes' to stop dog attacks on its posties

Post by POSTMAN »

Stoopid is as stoopid does...

Is your mailbox outside? You could be a fraud victim

And who's gonna pay for some fancy dan electronic post box?
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Re: Royal Mail 'considering US-style post-boxes' to stop dog attacks on its posties

Post by Mr Rush »

POSTMAN wrote:
06 Jul 2021, 13:25
Stoopid is as stoopid does...

Is your mailbox outside? You could be a fraud victim

And who's gonna pay for some fancy dan electronic post box?
I understand there was a lot of resistance in the US to the mandatory introduction of mailboxes but as the USPS was a federal agency they had the clout to force it through. And when it comes to postal theft and mail fraud, perpetrators are messing with a federal agency and the concomitant penal system.

We haven't banned low-down letterboxes, so the chances of RM mandating this is next to none. As with the USPS, the real attraction to mailboxes is the elimination of the time (and therefore money) spent walking up to every door.
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Re: Royal Mail 'considering US-style post-boxes' to stop dog attacks on its posties

Post by TrueBlueTerrier »

Royal Mail denies plans for US-style mailboxes in a bid to stop dogs attacking posties

https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest ... e-24477284

It had been claimed postal chiefs were considering introducing new mail boxes to thwart aggressive dogs and to bring down the number of posties injured each year

Royal Mail has batted off claims it plans to introduce US-style post boxes in a bid to halt dog attacks on its posties.

It had been reported postal chiefs were drawing up plans to encourage customers with aggressive dogs to buy boxes opened with a QR code, rather than letters being pushed through the door.


These would be positioned on the perimeter of properties to reduce the chance of attacks, much like the style found in the United States.

But the claims have been quashed, with a spokesperson telling TeamDogs its focus remains on raising awareness to combat the problem.

"Our focus remains on raising awareness of the issue, giving our people the right training, encouraging responsible dog ownership, and pursuing irresponsible dog owners in the courts.

"The health and safety of our people remains our number one priority."

Royal Mail recently reported that the number of dog attacks on its postal workers fell by nearly a third in the past year, because of changes to deliveries during the pandemic.

During the Covid lockdowns, it launched contact-free delivery, enabling workers to take letters and parcels to the doorstep while adhering to social distancing measures.

These changes in deliveries resulted in 1,690 dog attacks on posties last year, compared with 2,445 the previous year.

But Royal Mail said the number of attacks was still too high, with 33 each week, some of which lead to permanent and disabling injuries.

The reports came after news of the number of posties attacked while on the job


Whilst discussions are being had to find alternatives to posting through letterboxes to deal with problem dogs, Royal Mail confirmed there are currently no plans to require the US-style post-boxes in the UK.

Royal Mail runs an annual Dog Awareness Week to encourage responsible dog ownership and help protect postal workers against attacks.

Its website says: "Even the most loveable dog can be a danger to postal workers. Dogs are territorial by nature and if they feel they need to protect their family, they can become unpredictable."

Postal workers are still wounded on their rounds, with some being scarred for life

The Royal Mail website shares the following top tips for dog owners:

If you have a back garden, please close off the access, in case your dog could get around to the front when the postman or postwoman calls.

Dog attacks can happen when you’ve opened the door to sign for an item. Please keep your dog in another room before answering the door and make sure children don’t open the door, as dogs can push by them and attack.

Give your dog some food or a toy to occupy them while your mail is being delivered.

Wait 10 minutes after your mail has arrived to let your pet back into your hallway. Keep everything as calm and low-key as possible.

If your dog likes to attack your mail, consider installing a wire letter box behind the door to protect your post and the postman or postwoman’s fingers.

If it’s not practical for you to keep your dog away from a postman or postwoman delivering your mail, please consider fitting a secure mailbox on the edge of your property.

Please microchip your dog. Ensure it wears a collar and tag, and that your contact details on the tag and microchip are up to date.
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"Employers are always seeking more productivity from workers, without considering the human factor, the worker's age, the weather conditions and the intense heat. We need to intervene before it's too late, reducing working hours and the load carried by workers, because it's impossible to sustain the rhythm they're forced to work at for many years."
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