Dog attacks on postmen in Herefordshire "unacceptably high" (From Hereford Times)

"Unacceptably high" number of postmen attacked by dogs

11:00am Wednesday 18th July 2012 in News

A total of 18 postal workers were attacked by dogs as they delivered mail in Herefordshire over the past year.

Royal Mail said the number of attacks on postmen and women between April 2011 and April 2012 - an increase of 12.5 per cent on the previous year, was “unacceptably high”.

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) and Royal Mail is now asking dog owners in the HR postcode area to keep their animals under control during school holidays when attacks are most common.

“Clearly most dogs are not inherently dangerous,” said Darren Thain, Royal Mail safety director in Hereford.

“But even the most placid animal can be prone to attack if it feels its territory is being threatened.

“The number of attacks is unacceptably high. Even just being threatened by an unrestrained pet is a frightening situation for our delivery staff and we would appeal to owners to keep their pets under control, especially if they know their pets have a territorial nature.”

“Prevention is always better than the cure when it comes to dog attacks so we hope that all dog owners will take a moment to check where their pet is, especially over the summer holidays when attacks increase.”