Royal Mail Dog Attacks Fell 8 Percent but Sick Days Rose 27 Percent

A Royal Mail postman took more than 300 days off work after a dog attack, according to data reported by GB News. Royal Mail workers took a record 3,442 sick days due to dog attacks in the most recent financial year, up 27 percent from 2,700 days the year before. The number of workers attacked fell 8 percent to 2,019, averaging 38 incidents per week.

GB News reported that the rise in sick days stemmed from longer individual absences, with the previous year's longest leave at 108 days. The ratio of sick days per attack increased from 0.54 in 2020-21 to 1.71 in the latest year. Sheffield recorded the most attacks with 61 incidents, followed by Doncaster and Guildford with 53 each.

Around half of attacks occurred at the front door. Incidents of hands bitten through letter boxes fell by a fifth to 324. Bristol postwoman Katy Davies was attacked in January while turning into a shared driveway.

The dog caused five puncture wounds, tendon damage and left her unable to walk for three weeks. "Everything happened so quickly that I had no time to react. Before I knew it, I was on the ground in severe pain," Davies said.

She required three months off work and described lasting anxiety and depression. Lizz Lloyd, health and safety director at Royal Mail, said attacks remain a serious risk despite the drop in numbers. She urged owners to keep pets secure before opening doors.