By Tanya Steele
Recent statistics from Australia Post on dog-related incidents against posties have listed two suburbs in the Yarra Ranges and Knox as some of the worst offenders.
Meanwhile, in Emerald, Ford and Ulmer roads in Emerald have not been receiving their post due to reports of a dog chasing a postie in the area in June.
Australia Post revealed in a press release on 17 June that Victoria has recorded 166 dog-related incidents involving posties over the last six months.
Healesville, Nunawading, and Ferntree Gully recorded the highest number of incidents in the state.
Australia Post general manager of safety and wellbeing, Rod Maule, said he wanted to emphasise the importance of ensuring posties feel safe doing their job.
“Australia Post is calling on dog owners to take responsibility for their pets,” he said.
“Customers must understand that for many posties, it can be stressful or triggering knowing that your delivery round may involve a dog that shows aggressive behaviour.”
“Our team members just want to be able to deliver for our customers, without being attacked, harassed, or chased by dogs.”
Nationally over the past six months, more than 55 posties a week have fallen victim to dog-related incidents, amounting to 11 incidents per day.
Over 1,420 dog-related incidents have occurred in Australia in the past six months.
While no single dog breed is more likely to attack than another, Australia Post has said it is increasingly seeing it’s the smaller dogs that show aggressive behaviour.
Mr Maule said that regardless of the breed or temperament of your dog, Australia Post implores owners to secure their dog safely in a back garden, on a leash, or in another room when expecting parcel deliveries or mail, whether or not you are at home.
“If you are unable to restrain your dog securely, we suggest using our Parcel Lockers where possible,” he said.
Australia Post data has found that half of all incidents are taking place on customer property, with 1 in 3 occurring at the customer’s front door.
Thirty-four per cent of cases happened on the street – dogs with their owner account for 8 per cent of those incidents, and the remaining 26 per cent involved a dog who escaped a property to attack a Postie or was roaming the street.
Of particular concern are dog bites during letter deliveries, with 15 per cent of incidents occurring when a Postie places mail in letterboxes.
Posties will not make a delivery if it is unsafe for them to do so and will cease deliveries to a customer’s home until the danger is fixed.
Cardinia Shire has recently had such a suspension, Ford and Ulmer roads in Emerald have not been receiving their post due to reports of a dog chasing a postie in the area in June.
Cardinia Shire Council’s manager of regulatory services, Linda Ross said that Australia Post has the authority to suspend deliveries if there are safety concerns.
“We encourage pet owners to securely confine their pets and ensure their properties are safe to prevent any potential incidents,” she said.
Australia Post also reports dog-related incidents to relevant local councils to ensure enforcement is actioned.
Joanne Hammond, executive office for communications and engagement from Yarra Ranges said that all workers and passers-by should feel safe from dogs when out and about.
“Ensuring your dog is properly socialised will greatly reduce the chances of it developing behavioural issues with other animals and people,” she said.
“This will, in turn, reduce the likelihood of an attack happening.”
“The RSPCA Dog Behaviour and Training Handbook has more information on how to train your dog or people can seek professional help from a dog trainer or vet.”
Knox City Council treats dog attacks as a priority and will investigate all that are reported and states on their website that as a dog owner, residents must provide accommodation, supervision and care for their pet at all times.
Nationally, Australia Post data revealed Queensland continues to record the highest number of incidents in each state, followed by New South Wales and Western Australia.
The number of dog incidents in each state and territory as well as the worst offending areas are:
Queensland (466) – Stafford, Darra, and Bundamba
New South Wales (408) – Ingleburn, Tamworth and Lidcombe
Western Australia (215) – Rockingham, Bunbury and Gwelup
Victoria (166) – Healesville, Nunawading and Ferntree Gully
South Australia (114) – Glynde, Edinburgh North and Salisbury South
Northern Territory (23) – Winnellie, Palmerston and Katherine
Tasmania (16) – Eastern Shore Hobart and Launceston
Australian Capital Territory (15) – Fyshwick, Mitchell and Tuggeranong
Australia Post suggested the following tips to protect posties: Residents should always keep front gates securely closed and where possible, secure dogs in the back garden (rather than the front) and keep any side gates securely closed.
If you are expecting a delivery, be careful when opening your front door, ensuring your dog doesn’t run out from behind you. Securing them in another room is a great way to prevent this and if properly securing your dog is not possible, consider using our parcel lockers.
Data in this article came from Australia Post, Dog Safety data, collected from 1 July 2023 to 28 May 2024.
