Originally published by the Australian Institute of Health & Safety
Australia Post recently urged dog owners to properly secure their dogs as it revealed that more than 55 posties have fallen victim to dog-related incidents every working week.
Despite Australia Post’s pleas for more action from dog owners, more than 1420 dog-related incidents have occurred in Australia in the past six months. While no dog breed is more likely to attack than another, Australia Post said it is increasingly seeing smaller dogs that show aggressive behaviour.
In a bid to help identify where Posties are most at risk, Australia Post data has found that half of all incidents occur on customer property, with one in three occurring at the customer’s front door.
A further 34 per cent of incidents happened on the street, while dogs with their owner account for 8 per cent of those incidents and the remaining 26 per cent involved a dog who escaped a property to attack a Postie or was roaming the street.
Dog bites during letter deliveries are particularly concerning, with 15 per cent of incidents occurring when a Postie places mail in letterboxes.
Australia Post general manager of safety and wellbeing, Rod Maule, emphasised the importance of ensuring Posties feel safe doing their job.
“Australia Post is calling on dog owners to take responsibility for their pets,” said Maule.
“Customers must understand that for many Posties, it can be stressful or triggering knowing that your delivery round may involve a dog that shows aggressive behaviour. Our team members just want to be able to deliver for our customers without being attacked, harassed, or chased by dogs.
“Regardless of the breed or temperament of your dog, we implore owners to secure their dog safely in a back garden, on a leash, or in another room when expecting parcel deliveries or mail, whether or not you are at home. If you are unable to restrain your dog securely, we suggest using our Parcel Lockers where possible.”
Queensland continues to record the highest number of incidents involving posties in each state, followed by New South Wales and Western Australia. The number of dog incidents in each state and territory as well as the worst offending areas are:
- Queensland (466): Stafford, Darra, and Bundamba
- New South Wales (408): Ingleburn, Tamworth and Lidcombe
- Western Australia (215): Rockingham, Bunbury and Gwelup
- Victoria (166): Healesville, Nunawading and Ferntree Gully
- South Australia (114): Glynde, Edinburgh North and Salisbury South
- Northern Territory (23): Winnellie, Palmerston and Katherine
- Tasmania (16): Eastern Shore Hobart and Launceston
- Australian Capital Territory (15): Fyshwick, Mitchell and Tuggeranong
Maule said posties will not make a delivery if it is unsafe for them and will cease deliveries to a customer’s home until the danger is cleared. Australia Post also reports dog-related incidents to relevant local councils to ensure enforcement is actioned.
