Royal Mail is recommending that certain customers consider displaying a brief notice of four words as a precautionary measure to prevent potential suspension of deliveries to their address. As the Easter season approaches, prompting an increase in deliveries, taking proactive steps now is advised by the service. Recent data published on the Royal Mail website as of June 30, 2025, indicates a 2% rise in attacks on postal workers by dogs over the past year, totaling 2,197 incidents. This averages to about 42 attacks per week nationwide, resulting in some delivery personnel sustaining permanent or life-altering injuries.
In response to this issue, Royal Mail is promoting simple actions to protect its employees while ensuring uninterrupted delivery services. One effective solution is the use of a four-word postcard stating “I have a dog.” This notice alerts the delivery worker to wait while the pet owner manages their dog, allowing time to secure the pet in a separate area. Postal staff will demonstrate patience as the recipient attends to the situation.
In communications sent to customers, Royal Mail acknowledged the importance of receiving letters and parcels while emphasizing the priority of ensuring the safe delivery of these items. Highlighting a concerning statistic, the letter revealed that approximately 2,000 postal workers are injured by dog attacks annually, irrespective of the size of the dog. In case of such incidents, Royal Mail is obligated to involve the police and potentially suspend deliveries to the affected address to prevent further risks of attacks.
Seeking public cooperation, Royal Mail has underscored key information regarding the top postcode areas with the highest incidence of dog attacks on postal workers. Notable areas include Sheffield (S), Portsmouth (PO), and Kent/Sussex/Surrey (TN), among others, that have experienced varying trends in dog attacks over recent years.
Lizz Lloyd, the Health and Safety Director at Royal Mail, highlighted the persistent threat that dog attacks pose to postal workers, often resulting in severe injuries, emotional trauma, and work absences. While Royal Mail continues to invest in safety training and awareness programs, community involvement is crucial in mitigating these incidents.
