CWU concern over attacks

A partnershp between the CWU communication worker’s union, the Royal Mail and a number of animal charities and organisations has this month highlighted the issue of dog attacks after the launch of the UK’s first Dog Awareness Week.

Royal Mail figure’s show more than 2,400 postal delivery staff were attacked by dogs between April 2012 an April 2013.

Dog attacks are a significant hazard, faced by delivery staff on a daily basis. These attacks rise during the school holidays and in the summer months when parents and children are at home and dogs are sometimes allowed unsupervised in the garden, or out onto the street without restraints.

Delivery staff can take a number of simple measures to protect themselves while on a delivery round such as never putting fingers through a letterbox; rattling the gate when entering a property; and using the delivery pouch or trolley as a barrier. And the final word is never accept a dog owner’s assurances that their dog won’t harm you.

Dave Joyce, CWU health, safety and environment officer, said: “While the number of attacks has fallen, it still remains unacceptably high and the nature and seriousness of the injuries being received by postal workers is a growing concern.”

The union is working together with Royal Mail to raise awareness of the reality of dog attacks through this targeted summer campaign and the CWU’s ongoing Bite-Back campaign.

www.cwu.org/news/archive/royal-mail-amp-cwu-lead-dog-awareness-week.html

www.royalmailgroup.com/royal-mail-launch-uk%E2%80%99s-first-dog-awareness-week