Number of dog attacks on posties up

Thirteen postmen and women were attacked by dogs while doing their rounds in the FK7 area in the 12 months to April this year.

It brings to 54 the number of dog attacks on posties in FK7 – which includes Stirling area – over the last five years.

And the latest FK7 figure of 13 is 18 per cent up compared with the previous 12 months. Royal Mail say over the last five years there have been a worrying 14,500 attacks on the postal service in the UK. Some have led to life-changing injuries for those involved.

The figures are revealed by Royal Mail following a study, and the company expects the attacks to rise during the summer holidays as families and their pets are more likely to be at home when the postie calls.

A spokesman said: “Seen as an intruder, the postal worker is more open to attacks when the dog has been left unsupervised in the garden or not able to be controlled at the front door.

“Royal Mail is asking for owners to be more responsible and aware of pets’behaviour.”

Rob Jenson, Royal Mail operations director, said households could help prevent attacks by as using a wired letter receptacle to protect the hands delivering the letters and distracting the dog.

Although Royal Mail acknowledges that most dogs are not inherently dangerous, they want to raise the fact that even the most placid animal can be prone to attack if it feels its territory is being threatened.