BITING BAC K
FOUR postmen and women have been attacked and bitten by dogs in Wrexham in the past fortnight, according to the Royal Mail.
The news comes as the postal service’s own Dog Awareness Week began yesterday, seeking to remind pet owners of their responsibilities.
A postman ended up in hospital after being bitten on the arm in the latest incident in the Chirk area last Tuesday.
The Royal Mail’s Sally Hopkins said: “We know the overwhelming majority of dogs are friendly most of the time, however, even the most placid animal will defend itself if it feels its territory is threatened.
“Our first priority as an employer is to ensure the welfare and safety of our people, who provide a valuable service. Dog attacks, or the threat of attack, are a serious issue, with seven postmen and women on average being attacked every day across the UK.
“When it is unsafe for our postmen and women to deliver we will, and do, suspend deliveries.”
A source within one Royal Mail office in North Wales said there is virtually a zero-tolerance policy on homes where there are aggressive dogs. “We don’t mess about these days,” he said.
“If there’s the slightest suggestion that a dog is aggressive or dangerous we will just stop deliveries.
“I have to say though, four within a fortnight is a lot.”
He added that this time of year is always the worst for dog attacks. Incidents rise by up to 15%, especially when children are off school, the weather is warm and doors are left open.
Communication Workers Union safety officer Dave Joyce said: “The whole idea of Dog Awareness Week is to highlight the problem and the repercussions for dog owners and the victims, many of whom are seriously injured – some can’t return to mail delivery work.
“Over 70% of dog attacks on postmen and women occur on the garden path or at the doorstep. It just needs owners to restrict their animal’s access to the front garden or to put their dog in another room.
“New dog control laws identify and penalise irresponsible dog owners, and many are now facing prosecution, paying heavy court penalties and end up with criminal records.
“One Essex dog owner was recently fined £8,800 after his dog injured a postwoman’s fingers as she put letters through the door.”