Cited as “a last-line-of-defence” as dog attacks continue to plague Australia’s posties, every post delivery employee will now be equipped with citronella spray.
Australia Post announced earlier this month that it would be rolling out the preventative measure after an “alarming number” of dog-related incidents in the last six months.
New statistics show that more than 44 posties a week fall victim to a threatening dog – an average of nine per day – with Mooroolbark again ranking in the top three worst offending suburbs in Victoria.
Overall, Victoria ranked fourth out of all states and territories for the most number of incidents between 15 November and 15 May, totalling 138 incidents.
Australia Post general manager safety Russell Munro said the organisation is constantly looking for ways to better protect frontline team members.
“The safety of our team members is a core value at Australia Post. Despite public awareness efforts and rigorous safety protocols, we continue to see alarming rates of dog-related incidents,” he said.
“The best way to avoid dog attacks is to ensure your dog is safely secured behind a locked door or gate when your postie arrives with your parcel.
“We’ve identified a safe citronella spray deterrent that has proven largely effective in de-escalating incidents. When our people continue to end up in hospital, we have a responsibility to act and this is a last resort measure.”
Seeing overseas success in the use of a non-harmful, water-based citronella spray, Australia Post conducted a trial in the worst-affected areas, finding the spray was 80 per cent effective in causing dogs to retreat, leaving posties unharmed or giving them time to move away and call the owner for help.
In the lead up to the peak delivery period over Christmas, and at the release of the previous six months data where Mooroolbark first appeared in the top three, Star Mail spoke with Melbourne based postie of 26-years, Jamie Perri.
At the time, Mr Perri said he’d experienced nearly all kinds of incidents, from being chased to cornered, which “can be quite scary”, telling stories of dogs jumping through windows and over fences in an attempt to chase.
Aside from physical and attempted attacks, Australia Post identified 35,000 active dog-related hazards flagged in handheld devices carried by team members – a 20 per cent increase since November last year. These hazards are reported as a warning for potential escalation.
Increased interactions with dogs, Mr Perri put down to the rise in parcel delivery.
“Since the online shopping boom dog interactions with posties, particularly in front yards, have skyrocketed. Back in the day, 20 years ago, we never delivered parcels unless we had a passport letter,” he said.
Australia Post’s data highlights that almost 40 per cent of dog incidents take place on a customer’s property – half of those when a front door is opened for a parcel delivery.
Dog incidents occurring on the street account for 57 per cent of all cases. Roaming dogs are a particular concern, accounting for 39 per cent of all street incidents. Half of all other cases on the street were unrestrained dogs escaping a property to attack a postie.
It is common practice for Australia Post to report aggressive or dangerous dogs to local councils.
Yarra Ranges Council communities director Leanne Hurst told Star Mail in November reports that are investigated “can range from biting, rushing and attacking” and follow the Victorian Domestic Animals Act 1994.
Ms Hurst said Yarra Ranges residents are urged to check gates, fences and accessible areas to ensure an animal can be properly contained, especially if they are unsure how their dog will react to delivery drivers.
“All workers and passers-by should feel safe from dogs when out and about,” she said.
The citronella spray should only be used by posties and delivery drivers as a last resort, encouraging dog owners to instead adopt the steps of sit, stay, secure.
Mr Perri said in his view “owners need to take ownership” and asked people to put themselves in a postie’s shoes to understand what it’s like when delivering between 50 and 70 parcels a day.
The citronella spray program will prioritise high-risk regions first, with all posties to be equipped with the spray by the end of July.
The program will then be extended to Parcel Delivery Drivers, and all team members will be trained on how to use the spray safely.
Australia Post will continue to analyse incident data and conduct regular reviews of risk management practices.
