Royal mail dog bite policy

Royal Mail, the UK's postal service, has a policy in place for handling dog bites and other animal attacks on postal workers. Here are some key points from their policy:

Reporting a dog bite or attack

• If a postal worker is bitten or attacked by a dog while delivering mail, they should report the incident to their supervisor or manager as soon as possible.
• The incident should be reported using Royal Mail's incident reporting procedure, which includes providing details of the incident, including the date, time, location, and any injuries sustained.

Investigation and action

• Royal Mail will investigate all reported dog bites and attacks to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
• If the investigation finds that the dog's owner was aware of the dog's aggressive behavior and failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the attack, Royal Mail may take action against the owner, including:
  • Issuing a warning or fine
  • Seeking a court order to restrict the dog's movement
  • Withdrawing postal services from the area if necessary

Support for postal workers

• Royal Mail provides support and guidance to postal workers who have been bitten or attacked by a dog, including:
  • Access to medical treatment and counseling
  • Support from their supervisor or manager
  • Training on how to deal with aggressive dogs

Prevention measures

• Royal Mail encourages postal workers to take precautions when delivering mail in areas where there are known to be aggressive dogs, such as:
  • Wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves and a reflective jacket
  • Avoiding approaching dogs that appear aggressive or defensive
  • Not leaving mail unattended in areas where there are known to be aggressive dogs

Dog owner responsibilities

• Royal Mail reminds dog owners of their responsibilities to ensure their dogs do not attack postal workers, including:
  • Keeping their dogs under control and on a lead in public areas
  • Ensuring their dogs are not aggressive or defensive
  • Reporting any incidents involving their dog to the relevant authorities

It's worth noting that Royal Mail's policy on dog bites and attacks is subject to change, and postal workers should always follow the latest guidance and procedures provided by their employer.