James Duddridge, Member of Parliament for Rochford and Southend East, helped to deliver post in Rochford on Friday to raise awareness of the frequency of dog attacks on delivery staff. On average 44 postmen and women attacked each week across the UK, some leading to a permanent and disabling injury.
James said,
“Although there has been a year on year fall in the number of dog attacks on postmen and women it is clear that more still needs to be done to stop these attacks.
I would urge residents that own a dog to make sure that, if their dog is prone to biting, they put something in place that stops Royal Mail employees from being bitten whilst delivering your mail.”
Since May 2014 Section 106(2) (keeping dogs under proper control) of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 Royal Mail postmen and women in England and Wales are now legally protected if attacked by a dog when in public or on private property. However, there were still 2,471 reported dog attacks reported by Royal Mail postmen and women between April 2016 and April 2017.