Postal workers across the UK are continuing to face a rising tide of dog attacks, with newly released data from Royal Mail revealing almost 2,200 incidents in the past year alone — the equivalent of 42 assaults each week. This marks a 2% annual increase, raising fresh concerns about the safety of delivery personnel.
The figures expose a persistent threat to postal staff, many of whom have endured serious injuries, with some suffering life-changing physical and psychological consequences. According to Royal Mail, over the period from 2017 to 2024, a staggering one-third of all dog attacks reported in the UK were directed at postal delivery workers. The Workers Union has repeatedly highlighted this troubling issue and continues to advocate for more robust preventative measures.
Over the past decade, around 30,000 postal workers have been attacked by dogs, underscoring a national problem that remains unresolved despite ongoing campaigns and warnings.
‘The fat tissue looked like little yellow marbles’ – a postwoman’s traumatic ordeal
One of the most harrowing recent cases involves Ellenore King-Voisin, a postwoman based in Farnborough, southeast England. Her routine delivery round turned into a nightmare when she was violently attacked by two rescue dogs last June.
“I had been to the property many times before,” King-Voisin explained in a statement to Royal Mail. “I was aware one of the dogs had an aggressive temperament.”
The attack occurred when the owner, working on a car outside the house, left the front door open. Both dogs charged at King-Voisin as she approached the doorway.
“The dog jumped up at me and bit me three times just above the right knee,” she recalled. “When I looked down, I could see the flesh on my leg hanging. The fat tissue had literally burst open — it looked like little yellow marbles on the floor.”
Despite the traumatic scene, King-Voisin managed to fend off the dogs by screaming loudly. The commotion alerted the owner and his daughter, who rushed to help. Left bleeding and in shock, she administered her own First Aid at the scene. “The man and his daughter were crying — I had to take care of myself,” she added.
Front doors and gardens: Hotspots for danger
While the total number of dog attacks rose, Royal Mail reported a 10% drop in incidents causing serious and significant injury — down from 82 in 2023-24 to 74 in the most recent reporting year.
However, the locations of these incidents remain worryingly consistent. Nearly half (46%) occurred at the front door, while 28% took place in the garden, drive, or yard. A further 18% of injuries were inflicted through letterboxes, with 8% of attacks happening in the street or road.
This pattern highlights the persistent risk posed even in seemingly low-risk areas and reflects a pressing need for dog owners to take greater responsibility in managing their pets during postal deliveries.
Public responsibility and legal consequences
To combat the ongoing threat, Royal Mail is urging residents to take preventive action on dog awareness. The public is advised to print and display warning postcards alerting postal workers to the presence of a dog. In addition, homeowners are encouraged to ensure dogs are secured before answering the door.
Legal precedent now supports these measures. A 2020 High Court ruling confirmed that dog owners — or those temporarily in charge of the dog — can be prosecuted if their animals cause injury to delivery workers through letterboxes or from anywhere on the property, regardless of whether the owner is present.
The ruling reinforces the duty of care owed by pet owners and signals potential legal repercussions for failing to prevent foreseeable attacks.
A call for vigilance, not complacency
The Workers Union has long maintained that the safety of workers in public-facing roles deserves urgent attention. While data shows a slight improvement in the severity of injuries, the overall rise in attacks indicates a worrying trend that must not be allowed to persist.
Dog ownership brings great responsibility, and with over 30,000 delivery staff attacked in the last decade, the time for change is now. Public cooperation, consistent enforcement of safety laws, and community awareness are essential to keeping Britain’s postal workforce safe.
