42 postal workers report dog attacks
Dozens of postal workers are still being bitten by dogs while delivering mail in Shropshire and Mid Wales, new figures have shown.
It is estimated that 21 postmen and women were bitten in the SY postcode area – which covers Shrewsbury, Oswestry, Welshpool and others – over a one-year period and Royal Mail have launched a campaign to clamp down on dog bites.
And 14 cases were recorded in the Telford area, with seven incidents in Bridgnorth.
Dog Awareness Week will start in the postcode area on Monday, and with the summer holidays looming incidents apparently peak when schools have broken up.
Although the figures represent a 30 per cent drop in the number of incidents in the region, Royal Mail is still appealing to owners to keep their dogs under control.
New legislation means dog owners can be prosecuted if an attack takes place on private property, and the campaign is supported by several animal charities.
Delivery director Estelle Baillie believes "too many" incidents took place in the SY postcode area last year.
She said: "Following the success of last year's campaign, there is growing awareness of the issue of dog attacks and the problems our postmen and women face when they are delivering the mail.
"However, last year there were still too many incidents in the SY postcode area and we need to reduce this number further.
"We know that most dogs are not inherently dangerous, however, even the most placid animal can be prone to attack if it feels its territory is being threatened.
"We appeal to dog owners in the SY postcode area to keep their pets under control, especially if they know their pets have a territorial nature. It can be simple things that help – for example just making sure the dog is kept inside when the postman calls."
