Postal Workers Face Rising Dog Attack Risks, New Figures Reveal

Recent figures from Royal Mail indicate a troubling rise in dog attacks on postal workers, with a total of 2,197 incidents reported across the UK in the 2024/25 financial year. Sheffield's S postcode area topped the list with 66 reports of attacks, while Portsmouth (PO postcode) and parts of Kent (TN postcode) followed closely with 60 and 56 incidents, respectively. This data was released to coincide with the start of Dog Awareness Week, which aims to raise awareness about the dangers that delivery staff face and to promote responsible dog ownership.

Nearly half of the dog attacks occurred at the front door, with one in four incidents taking place in private gardens, driveways, or yards, and almost 10% happening on the street. The severity of injuries varies; 74 significant injuries were recorded last year, a slight decrease from 82 the previous year. However, the consequences for injured workers can be severe, leading to more than 2,700 days lost to work in the last financial year, including an individual who missed 108 days due to an attack.

One notable case involved Ellenore King-Voisin, a postal worker from Farnborough, Hampshire, who described her horrific experience of being bitten three times by a dog while on her delivery route. Following the attack, she underwent treatment and has developed a significant fear of dogs, impacting her daily life. Health and safety director at Royal Mail, Lizz Lloyd, highlighted the ongoing dangers of dog attacks for postal workers, urging the public to take precautions to secure their pets before receiving deliveries. Concerns have also been raised by the Royal Veterinary College, linking behavioral issues in dogs to those adopted during the Covid pandemic.