Lock up your dogs, say posties

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/ ... ay_posties" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

ROYAL Mail is urging owners to secure their dogs after a rise in attacks on postmen and women.

Scores of postal workers are attacked each year while on their rounds in Greater Manchester, particularly during the summer when dogs are let loose in gardens.

In Bolton alone, the average is three animal attacks every month in the summer.

The firm has introduced dog awareness days for its workers, training staff how to deal with animals they encounter while making deliveries to homes and businesses.

It is also appealing to owners to secure their pets.

Ian Lumley, delivery manager, said: "Not all dogs are dangerous, but even the most placid animal can attack if it feels its territory is being threatened.

"Increasingly we have to suspend our deliveries because dogs are on the loose and it is just not safe for our postmen and women."

After an attack or near miss, the householder now receives a letter from Royal Mail telling them to keep their animals under control or risk losing their doorstep delivery service.

In more serious cases, the local dog warden or police are informed.

Around 6,000 postal workers are attacked by animals in Britain each year. Many incidents are near misses or nips but some result in serious injury. Last year, Cambridge postie Keith Davies need a six-hour operation to save his life after his arm was 'nearly ripped off' by two rottweilers.

The Communications Workers Union (CWU), Unison, the RSPCA, the Dogs Trust and police are calling for a change in the Dangerous Dogs Act. They want it to also apply to private property as posties that currently get injured are unable to prosecute the owners or get compensation. Around 70 per cent of the 6,000 attacks are on private property.

District nurses, social workers and people from other professions who make house calls are also attacked.

Mr Lumley said: "Many attacks happen when the dog snatches mail from the letterbox as it is being posted or when animals push past people answering the door to sign for a parcel.

"Residents could help reduce the number of attacks by keeping dogs indoors and away from the letterbox at about the time the postman or woman calls."

The Royal Mail also advises dog owners to consider installing a letter cage or a secure mailbox on the edge of the property.

Posties in Bolton and Wigan will be the first to receive additional training, followed by Manchester and other postcodes in Greater Manchester later this year.

[DGP1]

The Royal Mail also advises dog owners to consider installing a letter cage

I bloodly hate those things, they're OK if you're just posting a letter but anything bigger doesn't go in.

But the box at the edge of the property sounds good.

[Lounge Lizard]

The Royal Mail also advises dog owners to consider installing a letter cage

I bloodly hate those things, they're OK if you're just posting a letter but anything bigger doesn't go in.

But the box at the edge of the property sounds good.

Boxes installed at the edges of properties, then RM retime the walk and add many more addresses to it - you can't win. .

[DGP1]

The Royal Mail also advises dog owners to consider installing a letter cage

I bloodly hate those things, they're OK if you're just posting a letter but anything bigger doesn't go in.

But the box at the edge of the property sounds good.

Yarrrp