Australia Post workers are suffering more dog attacks than before with 1,170 incidents so far this financial year — up 400 on the same time in 2021.

The delivery service says around five employees are attacked each work day, causing serious injuries and lasting emotional trauma.

What emergency steps should you take if you witness a dog attack? And what should you do if that dog is attacking you?

When dogs attack​

While the news from Australia Post is distressing, it’s important to remember that the majority of the millions of dogs in Australia don’t bite. For the dogs that do attack, it’s usually because they are acting on fear or anxiety rather than aggression.


In the centuries since we first domesticated and trained dogs to be our pets and companions, we’ve shaped their natural behaviour so they can share our lives, homes and environment. But we can’t breed or train out all of a dog’s natural instincts: many will protect their space – and will escalate their response if they feel threatened.

We don’t have good national statistics on dog bites. The Australian Companion Animal Council has estimated more than 100,000 people in Australia are attacked by dogs each year, with around 12,000–14,000 of them requiring medical treatment for injuries, and around 10% of those hospitalised.

In the United Kingdom, dog attacks are increasing in adults rather than kids, though the reasons for this are unclear.

UK researchers have found 80% of occupational bites occurred during mail delivery, vet or kennel work, or caring for people who have dogs. In high-risk settings, specialist equipment like an air blaster might be used during an attack. But the general public (and posties) don’t have access to these.

3 things to do if someone else is being attacked by a dog​

Many people picture specific dog breeds as aggressive and more likely to attack, but this is an unhelpful stereotype. The truth is, any type of dog can bite. Here’s what to do:

1. keep yourself safe. If you intervene, you might get bitten
2. distract the dog (call out from a safe distance, beep your car horn, spray the animal with a hose if there’s one handy and it’s safe to do so)
3. call for emergency medical care if necessary.

There are also two important things to do after a dog attack:

1. provide medical attention. Every dog bite will need medical attention, to treat injury and to prevent infection
2. report it. Most local councils also require every dog attack be reported. Local authorities may collect evidence, interview witnesses and follow up. They might impose a dangerous dog order or tell the owner to install or repair fencing. Roaming dogs can also be reported and picked up by authorities.

What if the dog is attacking you?​

If you see a dog that looks agitated and is running towards you, the most important thing is not to react or scream. Stay calm and avoid eye contact. Move away (out of their space) as calmly and slowly as possible.

If a dog is attacking in full flight, best to stay upright, remain still and call for help. If you have time, placing something between you and them (a clipboard, jacket, wheelie bin) can help. If you end up on the ground, curl up into a ball as tightly as possible.

Most dogs have good 'bite inhibition'. If a dog is really scared and an approaching person doesn’t recognise the signs, they will likely bite once as a warning or reaction, but they won’t necessarily keep biting if you can move away.

Dog bites can puncture skin and cause muscle or tendon injury. Shutterstock​

Why do they hate posties so much?​

Dogs don’t hate posties specifically, but many dogs love to chase. Some may chase postal workers on bikes then get overexcited and bite by accident in an overstimulated state. Other dogs may not appreciate strangers entering their space unannounced, and the unpredictability of visits can make things tough too.

Posties might consider taking dog treats on their rounds and throw them each time they visit properties with dogs. This can create a positive association with their daily visit (or sometimes, throwing a handful of treats to distract an approaching dog can help buy time to back away). They could also carry a map and make note of properties with problem dogs, so they can be prepared or owners notified to make arrangements for delivery days.

Many attacks are preventable. In the UK, where postal workers often get bitten when they reach into private mailboxes that are open on the other side, they sometimes use long pegs to push through mail. In the United States, paw stickers have been used to warn postal workers of a dog in the area.

​

Australia Post recommends keeping your dog in a separate room, on a leash or distracting them with a toy or treat when the postie arrives. They suggest not letting children answer the door in case dogs push their way past. If dogs are outside, they should be kept securely away from the letterbox.

Posties are being attacked by dogs in greater numbers. AAP Image/Australia Post
​

This article was first published on The Conversation, and was written by Susan Hazel, Senior Lecturer, School of Animal and Veterinary Science from University of Adelaide, and Petra Edwards, PhD researcher from University of Adelaide.

 

[Shane/#]

Australia Post workers are suffering more dog attacks than before with 1,170 incidents so far this financial year — up 400 on the same time in 2021.

The delivery service says around five employees are attacked each work day, causing serious injuries and lasting emotional trauma.

What emergency steps should you take if you witness a dog attack? And what should you do if that dog is attacking you?

When dogs attack​

While the news from Australia Post is distressing, it’s important to remember that the majority of the millions of dogs in Australia don’t bite. For the dogs that do attack, it’s usually because they are acting on fear or anxiety rather than aggression.


In the centuries since we first domesticated and trained dogs to be our pets and companions, we’ve shaped their natural behaviour so they can share our lives, homes and environment. But we can’t breed or train out all of a dog’s natural instincts: many will protect their space – and will escalate their response if they feel threatened.

We don’t have good national statistics on dog bites. The Australian Companion Animal Council has estimated more than 100,000 people in Australia are attacked by dogs each year, with around 12,000–14,000 of them requiring medical treatment for injuries, and around 10% of those hospitalised.

In the United Kingdom, dog attacks are increasing in adults rather than kids, though the reasons for this are unclear.

UK researchers have found 80% of occupational bites occurred during mail delivery, vet or kennel work, or caring for people who have dogs. In high-risk settings, specialist equipment like an air blaster might be used during an attack. But the general public (and posties) don’t have access to these.

3 things to do if someone else is being attacked by a dog​

Many people picture specific dog breeds as aggressive and more likely to attack, but this is an unhelpful stereotype. The truth is, any type of dog can bite. Here’s what to do:

1. keep yourself safe. If you intervene, you might get bitten
2. distract the dog (call out from a safe distance, beep your car horn, spray the animal with a hose if there’s one handy and it’s safe to do so)
3. call for emergency medical care if necessary.

There are also two important things to do after a dog attack:

1. provide medical attention. Every dog bite will need medical attention, to treat injury and to prevent infection
2. report it. Most local councils also require every dog attack be reported. Local authorities may collect evidence, interview witnesses and follow up. They might impose a dangerous dog order or tell the owner to install or repair fencing. Roaming dogs can also be reported and picked up by authorities.

What if the dog is attacking you?​

If you see a dog that looks agitated and is running towards you, the most important thing is not to react or scream. Stay calm and avoid eye contact. Move away (out of their space) as calmly and slowly as possible.

If a dog is attacking in full flight, best to stay upright, remain still and call for help. If you have time, placing something between you and them (a clipboard, jacket, wheelie bin) can help. If you end up on the ground, curl up into a ball as tightly as possible.

Most dogs have good 'bite inhibition'. If a dog is really scared and an approaching person doesn’t recognise the signs, they will likely bite once as a warning or reaction, but they won’t necessarily keep biting if you can move away.

View attachment 6262
Dog bites can puncture skin and cause muscle or tendon injury. Shutterstock​

Why do they hate posties so much?​

Dogs don’t hate posties specifically, but many dogs love to chase. Some may chase postal workers on bikes then get overexcited and bite by accident in an overstimulated state. Other dogs may not appreciate strangers entering their space unannounced, and the unpredictability of visits can make things tough too.

Posties might consider taking dog treats on their rounds and throw them each time they visit properties with dogs. This can create a positive association with their daily visit (or sometimes, throwing a handful of treats to distract an approaching dog can help buy time to back away). They could also carry a map and make note of properties with problem dogs, so they can be prepared or owners notified to make arrangements for delivery days.

Many attacks are preventable. In the UK, where postal workers often get bitten when they reach into private mailboxes that are open on the other side, they sometimes use long pegs to push through mail. In the United States, paw stickers have been used to warn postal workers of a dog in the area.

​

Australia Post recommends keeping your dog in a separate room, on a leash or distracting them with a toy or treat when the postie arrives. They suggest not letting children answer the door in case dogs push their way past. If dogs are outside, they should be kept securely away from the letterbox.

View attachment 6263
Posties are being attacked by dogs in greater numbers. AAP Image/Australia Post
​

This article was first published on The Conversation, and was written by Susan Hazel, Senior Lecturer, School of Animal and Veterinary Science from University of Adelaide, and Petra Edwards, PhD researcher from University of Adelaide.

With our dog he is a Jack Russell x Foxy he goes off at anyone in flouro shirts, jackets as we believe when he was young someone that's come to read a meter has hit or kicked him and he remembers and now he is 13 year's old and a mate that came around once kicked him and every time he came Max would try and bite him and I don't blame the dog at all

 

[Mr Chips]

My dog (American Staffy x Shar-Pey) loves the Woolies delivery drivers because he knows that they bring the goodies. I take him out on a lead to greet the drivers, which completely reduces any tension between them My dog is extremely friendly, too much so actually but the Woolies drivers are sometimes apprehensive and I don't blame them.

 

[Catherines]

Australia Post workers are suffering more dog attacks than before with 1,170 incidents so far this financial year — up 400 on the same time in 2021.

The delivery service says around five employees are attacked each work day, causing serious injuries and lasting emotional trauma.

What emergency steps should you take if you witness a dog attack? And what should you do if that dog is attacking you?

When dogs attack​

While the news from Australia Post is distressing, it’s important to remember that the majority of the millions of dogs in Australia don’t bite. For the dogs that do attack, it’s usually because they are acting on fear or anxiety rather than aggression.


In the centuries since we first domesticated and trained dogs to be our pets and companions, we’ve shaped their natural behaviour so they can share our lives, homes and environment. But we can’t breed or train out all of a dog’s natural instincts: many will protect their space – and will escalate their response if they feel threatened.

We don’t have good national statistics on dog bites. The Australian Companion Animal Council has estimated more than 100,000 people in Australia are attacked by dogs each year, with around 12,000–14,000 of them requiring medical treatment for injuries, and around 10% of those hospitalised.

In the United Kingdom, dog attacks are increasing in adults rather than kids, though the reasons for this are unclear.

UK researchers have found 80% of occupational bites occurred during mail delivery, vet or kennel work, or caring for people who have dogs. In high-risk settings, specialist equipment like an air blaster might be used during an attack. But the general public (and posties) don’t have access to these.

3 things to do if someone else is being attacked by a dog​

Many people picture specific dog breeds as aggressive and more likely to attack, but this is an unhelpful stereotype. The truth is, any type of dog can bite. Here’s what to do:

1. keep yourself safe. If you intervene, you might get bitten
2. distract the dog (call out from a safe distance, beep your car horn, spray the animal with a hose if there’s one handy and it’s safe to do so)
3. call for emergency medical care if necessary.

There are also two important things to do after a dog attack:

1. provide medical attention. Every dog bite will need medical attention, to treat injury and to prevent infection
2. report it. Most local councils also require every dog attack be reported. Local authorities may collect evidence, interview witnesses and follow up. They might impose a dangerous dog order or tell the owner to install or repair fencing. Roaming dogs can also be reported and picked up by authorities.

What if the dog is attacking you?​

If you see a dog that looks agitated and is running towards you, the most important thing is not to react or scream. Stay calm and avoid eye contact. Move away (out of their space) as calmly and slowly as possible.

If a dog is attacking in full flight, best to stay upright, remain still and call for help. If you have time, placing something between you and them (a clipboard, jacket, wheelie bin) can help. If you end up on the ground, curl up into a ball as tightly as possible.

Most dogs have good 'bite inhibition'. If a dog is really scared and an approaching person doesn’t recognise the signs, they will likely bite once as a warning or reaction, but they won’t necessarily keep biting if you can move away.

View attachment 6262
Dog bites can puncture skin and cause muscle or tendon injury. Shutterstock​

Why do they hate posties so much?​

Dogs don’t hate posties specifically, but many dogs love to chase. Some may chase postal workers on bikes then get overexcited and bite by accident in an overstimulated state. Other dogs may not appreciate strangers entering their space unannounced, and the unpredictability of visits can make things tough too.

Posties might consider taking dog treats on their rounds and throw them each time they visit properties with dogs. This can create a positive association with their daily visit (or sometimes, throwing a handful of treats to distract an approaching dog can help buy time to back away). They could also carry a map and make note of properties with problem dogs, so they can be prepared or owners notified to make arrangements for delivery days.

Many attacks are preventable. In the UK, where postal workers often get bitten when they reach into private mailboxes that are open on the other side, they sometimes use long pegs to push through mail. In the United States, paw stickers have been used to warn postal workers of a dog in the area.

​

Australia Post recommends keeping your dog in a separate room, on a leash or distracting them with a toy or treat when the postie arrives. They suggest not letting children answer the door in case dogs push their way past. If dogs are outside, they should be kept securely away from the letterbox.

View attachment 6263
Posties are being attacked by dogs in greater numbers. AAP Image/Australia Post
​

This article was first published on The Conversation, and was written by Susan Hazel, Senior Lecturer, School of Animal and Veterinary Science from University of Adelaide, and Petra Edwards, PhD researcher from University of Adelaide.

 

[Catherines]

My 50 yr old son was bitten while walking to a shop. The owner had the dog on leash but obviously not a tightened one enough to restrain the dog. Son cleaned it as soon as he got home. Two days later he said it was smelling so we drove 1/2 hr to his place and took him to hospital. Three operations later, two to remove blood clots, one was huge. Off work for 9 whole weeks (a casual employee) and we picked up the bills during that period for his rent, food, bills of all kinds and any other things he needed. He lives from one week to the next so doesn’t have any savings to cover extras. Contact with 3 legal organisations and all said it could a very lengthy process proving negligence, one’s life is exposed in trials by the other party, and if you lose you have your legal fees, the other person’s legal fees, Medicare costs involved in what the hospital system claimed from your fund and court costs as well. So we just reported the incident to our council - owner was made to display sign saying ‘warning - dangerous dog’. So readers don’t think you can just bring legal action against a dog owner and win - it’s more complicated than you think.

 

[Ricci]

One of the rescue dogs I had in the past was set off by anyone wearing work boots, he would try to savage them. He had had s really tough time before he came to me and I reckon he was kicked, likely several times, by someone wearing boots. Understanding the reasons for these behaviors helps no end in overcoming them. Any tradie that came to the house was asked to remove his boots before entering. We gave the dog an old pair of boots to savage and he took all his aggression out on them. Eventually we overcame his fear and towards the end of his life he was at peace with work boots, especially if the person wearing them came bearing treats! I've always worked on the premise that there are no bad dogs, only owners.

 

[Catherines]

I agree with you that it’s probably the owners who are to blame. I never had a dog or pet of any kind as my husband worked at sea, sometimes for 4 months straight, and we had 3 children who became my sole responsibility during that time, so pets adding to that were not on. Treating pets badly, I also believe, is the most probable the cause of dogs attacking.