Barking Up The Wrong Tree

Posties Beg For Dogs To Be Kept Away

There is an article in the Halifax Evening Courier where the Royal Mail plea for customers to keep their dogs away from mailboxes and away from their posties around the time when the mail is delivered.

They claim that men and women in Calderdale are being bothered when they’re trying to deliver the mail.

Apparently the rise in problems is because the school holidays has started and the dogs are outside playing with the children.

A spokesperson for the Royal Mail said:

“Owners need to be more aware beause attacks can have an adverse effect on their dogs and their mail as Royal Mail can suspend deliveries.  People say their dog has never bitten anyone but there is always a first time.”

Royal Mail workers are issues with sonic alarms as standard and receive animal training.  After an issue with a dog, the owner will receive a general warning letter and if it is serious, the police and local dog warden are also informed.

Alison Wright, Royal Mail’s area general manager, said: “Our priority is to ensure the welfare and safety of our people and increasingly we have to suspend deliveries because dogs are on the loose and it is not safe.”

One solution is for customers to install a large letter cage.