In the wake of data showing the number of posties attacked, harassed or chased by dogs has increase significantly this financial year, Australia Post is urging all dog owners to help protect their postie.
Between July 2022 and March 2023 there were 1885 incidents involving dogs and posties, already surpassing the 1587 recorded during the full 2021/22 financial year.
Australia Post attributes some of this increase to the million-plus additional dogs (a fifth of all pet dogs) brought into Australian households between 2019-2021, including during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
NSW saw the largest number of incidents at 650 in just nine months, already nearly 28 per cent higher than the full year results the year prior.
Queensland had 555 incidents (up 15 per cent), followed by Western Australia with 329 (up 23 per cent).
Victoria and Tasmania had a combined 218 dog-related incidents (up five per cent), followed by South Australia and the Northern Territory with 133 collectively (up four per cent).
Australia Post’s Susan Davies urged residents to safely secure their dog, either in the home or in the back garden, to protect not just posties but also the broader community.
“We’re seeing increased instances of our posties sustaining injuries by either falling off their vehicles while trying to avoid unrestrained dogs, or getting physically attacked by dogs jumping up and biting them,” Ms Davies said.
“We want our team to be able to safely deliver to all Australians, so urge dog owners to please secure their dogs in the backyard or indoors.”
Tips for keeping your dog secure:
- Always keep your front gate securely closed.
- Where possible, secure your dog in the back garden (rather than the front garden) and keep any side gates securely closed.
- if you are expecting a delivery, be careful when opening your front door to ensure your dog doesn’t run out from behind you. Keeping them safely in another room when you answer the door is a great way to prevent this.