08/06/2026
Royal Mail Dog Awareness.
Lizz Lloyd, Health & Safety Director at Royal Mail: “Dog attacks remain one of the most significant safety risks faced by postal workers. In many cases, these incidents result in serious injuries, emotional distress, and time away from work. Royal Mail continues to call on the public to be vigilant and responsible by securing their pets before opening the door to receive mail or packages.”
Royal Mail continues to push for changes in the law to reflect the severity of these attacks as a further form of protection for its people. Following changes to the Dangerous Dogs Act in England and Wales that came into force in May 2014, Royal Mail has carried out over 30 private prosecutions against dog owners. This has punished offenders and further raised awareness. It is hoped that these actions will prevent further attacks by forcing owners to put in place control measures to ensure a dog does not attack again.
Here are some ideas to help your postman or postwoman deliver your post in safety:
•Ensure your dog is out of the way before the postman or postwoman arrives. Place your pet in the back garden or a faraway room.
•Never open the door when your dog is behind you
•If you have a back garden, please close off the access, in case your dog could get around to the front when the postman or postwoman calls.
•Dog attacks can happen when you’ve opened the door to sign for an item. Please keep your dog in another room before answering the door and make sure children don’t open the door, as dogs can push by them and attack.
•Give your dog some food or a toy to occupy them while your mail is being delivered.
•Wait 10 minutes after your mail has arrived to let your pet back into your hallway. Keep everything as calm and low-key as possible.
•If your dog likes to attack your mail, consider installing a wire letter receptacle. It will protect your post, and your postman’s or postwoman’s fingers.
•If it’s not practical for you to keep your dog away from a postman or postwoman delivering your mail, please consider fitting a secure mailbox on the edge of your property.
Link 🔗 to Royalmail -
https://www.royalmail.com/personal/dog-awareness
Here’s a link to the customer PDF postcard, it’s free to download & dog owners can display it in the window.
🔗 -
https://www.royalmail.com/sites/royalmail.com/files/2024-07/New_Customer_Postcard_FINAL_A5.pdf
