At least two Greater Manchester posties are attacked and injured by dogs every week, figures reveal.
Data released under the Freedom of Information Act show there have been 387 dog attacks on postmen and women over the last three years – but this figure could be even higher as many incidents go unreported.
Postmen and women in the area have suffered bites to their fingers, legs, faces, buttocks and even genitalia.
Typical attacks include bites on fingers through letter boxes, attacks by dogs loose on property including gardens and when residents open doors to sign for packages.
Dave Joyce, Communication Workers Union Health and Safety Officer, said: “Postal workers in Greater Manchester face the potential of dog attacks every day they go out delivering mail.
“Two dog attacks on postal workers every week is too many – across the UK at least eight postal workers are attacked by dogs every day.”
From April 2012 to April 2013 there were 101 reported dog attack incidents across Greater Manchester – Bury postal workers reported the most with 16 logging bites.
Other cities in the region didn’t fare much better with Stockport reporting 15, Tameside recording 12, and Salford and Trafford reported the least at 5 each.
However these figures are lower than those from previous years as the number of incidents across Greater Manchester have fallen by 37% in the last three years, with 161 attacks in 2010/11 to 101 last year.
Mr Joyce said: “It’s positive to see that the overall rate of attacks is coming down, but it’s too little and too slow.”
Postwoman, Gwyneth Atherton, was delivering mail in Failsworth in April 2010 when a dog grabbed her finger through the letter box.
The injury to her middle finger that she sustained was so severe that she was left needing surgery – three years later she has permanent scarring and a loss of sensation.
She said: “It’s still painful now.”
The CWU and others campaigned for several years to improve laws on dangerous dogs and to secure greater protection for postal workers.
In light of the tragic death of Jade Lomas-Anderson, the government announced that owners of vicious dogs will be prosecuted for attacks on their private property – where 70% of attacks on postal workers occur.
Mr Joyce said: “Following the recent death of Jade Lomas-Anderson in Atherton, people in Greater Manchester will be more aware than many of the danger that dogs can pose.
“We are asking all dog owners to be responsible, keep their pets properly trained and restrained so that they do not have the opportunity to attack a postman or woman or any other person whether they are adult, child, family or stranger.”
The CWU have been working together with Royal Mail to reduce the number of dog attacks and more than £100,000 has been spent by the postal service on awareness campaigns and equipment.
A Royal Mail spokeswoman said that they have given 90,000 posting pegs out nationally which are used to put letters through the door to protect postal workers’ fingers.
Donald Brydon, Chairman of Royal Mail, commented: “It is an offence to decency that good people should suffer these attacks when carrying out their daily jobs and serving the public.”
After an independent inquiry, led by Sir Gordon Langley, Royal Mail announced their intentions to take a more robust approach to the problem.
Currently a walk assessment is completed for each route by postal workers who record the risks associated with the round including dog hazards.
As well as this, letters with escalating degrees of sanctions are sent to addresses where an aggressive or dangerous dog has been noticed.
In serious cases all mail deliveries will be suspended, but usually households are encouraged to work with Royal Mail to find solutions.
They suggest that residents consider the use of grills for letter boxes, keep their dogs confined or organise to collect mail from their post office.
Picture courtesy of State Farm, with thanks.
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