{"id":131529,"date":"2021-07-08T07:44:13","date_gmt":"2021-07-08T07:44:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/?p=131529"},"modified":"2021-07-08T07:44:13","modified_gmt":"2021-07-08T07:44:13","slug":"royal-mail-denies-plans-for-us-style-mailboxes-to-stop-dogs-attacking-posties","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/world-news\/royal-mail-denies-plans-for-us-style-mailboxes-to-stop-dogs-attacking-posties\/","title":{"rendered":"Royal Mail denies plans for US-style mailboxes to stop dogs attacking posties"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Royal Mail has batted off claims it plans to introduce US-style post boxes in a bid to halt dog attacks on its posties.<\/p>\n

It had been reported postal chiefs were drawing up plans to encourage customers with aggressive dogs to buy boxes opened with a QR code, rather than letters being pushed through the door.<\/p>\n

These would be positioned on the perimeter of properties to reduce the chance of attacks, much like the style found in the United States.<\/p>\n

But the claims have been quashed, with a spokesperson telling TeamDogs its focus remains on raising awareness to combat the problem.<\/p>\n

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They said: "There are no plans to require US-style post-boxes in the UK.<\/p>\n

"Our focus remains on raising awareness of the issue, giving our people the right training, encouraging responsible dog ownership, and pursuing irresponsible dog owners in the courts.<\/p>\n

"The health and safety of our people remains our number one priority."<\/p>\n

Royal Mail recently reported that the number of dog attacks on its postal workers fell by nearly a third in the past year, because of changes to deliveries during the pandemic.<\/p>\n

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During the Covid lockdowns, it launched contact-free delivery, enabling workers to take letters and parcels to the doorstep while adhering to social distancing measures.<\/p>\n

These changes in deliveries resulted in 1,690 dog attacks on posties last year, compared with 2,445 the previous year.<\/p>\n

But Royal Mail said the number of attacks was still too high, with 33 each week, some of which lead to permanent and disabling injuries.<\/p>\n

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Whilst discussions are being had to find alternatives to posting through letterboxes to deal with problem dogs, Royal Mail confirmed there are currently no plans to require the US-style post-boxes in the UK.<\/p>\n

Royal Mail runs an annual Dog Awareness Week to encourage responsible dog ownership and help protect postal workers against attacks.<\/p>\n

Its website says: "Even the most loveable dog can be a danger to postal workers. Dogs are territorial by nature and if they feel they need to protect their family, they can become unpredictable."<\/p>\n

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