Australia Post urges councils to take strong action as dog attacks on Posties continue

Australia Post is calling on local councils to adopt stricter measures in response to the alarming number of dog-related incidents involving Posties.

New data has revealed more than 49 Posties a week have fallen victim to dog-related incidents in the past six months -an average of ten per day- with fears these numbers will continue to rise in the lead up to holiday season¹.

In the past six months, 1,277 dog-related incidents have occurred nationwide, despite Australia Post’s pleas for dog owners to take responsibility for their pets. As a result, Australia Post is calling on local councils to enforce restrictions and local animal management laws to ensure the safety of Posties and the community.

The new data highlights a clear and consistent trend of aggressive behaviour, with 1 in 3 dog-related incidents continuing to occur at the customer’s front door during parcel deliveries, increasing the risk to Posties ahead of the very busy upcoming Black Friday sales and Christmas season.

To help mitigate continued threats, all Posties are equipped with a hazard device to log aggressive dog behaviour, with more serious cases alerted to councils. There are currently more than 29,000 active dog-related hazards nationally, and many are expected to stay unresolved.

Australia Post General Manager of Safety and Wellbeing, Rod Maule, stressed the importance of councils implementing stronger measures to prevent dog attacks, including increased monitoring and enforcement of animal management laws.

“Dog attacks remain one of the highest safety concerns for our people. As we head into our peak season and delivery volumes increase, there is a serious concern for the physical and mental wellbeing of our Posties, particularly around dogs.

“Aggressive or dangerous dogs are reported to council and local rangers, however too often we see risks are not properly mitigated. This often leads to multiple instances of the same dog repeating aggressive behaviour, which can result in a severe attack on our Postie.

“As the holiday season approaches, dog owners need to be mindful that all visitors, including Posties, should have safe access to the front door without being stopped by a dog. Dog ownership comes with responsibilities, and we need council support to effectively enforce laws and regulations to ensure the safety of our people.”

Australia Post data reveals that Queensland continues to be the worst state in the country for dog-related incidents on Posties, and the following delivery areas have been identified as having the highest number of incidents nationally:

1. Queensland (505) – Darra, Stafford, Toowoomba
2. New South Wales (367) – Lidcombe, Alexandria, Ingleburn
3. Western Australia (152) – Rockingham, Nedlands, Geraldton and Bunbury
4. Victoria (114) – Caroline Springs, Hoppers Crossing, Mooroolbark
5. South Australia (90) – Glynde, Edinburgh North, Lonsdale
6. Northern Territory (24) – Darwin, Katherine, Alice Springs and Palmerston
7. Tasmania (22) – Launceston, Rokeby, Burnie and Hobart
8. Australian Capital Territory (3) – Queanbeyan, Mitchell, Tuggeranong

Australia Post actively engages with local councils and continues to work with relevant state and territory Government Departments to advocate for changes to animal management laws to ensure they are fit for purpose and work to protect our team members.

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 resolved.

AUSTRALIA POST’S TIPS FOR DOG OWNERS: 

• Always keep front gates securely closed.
• Where possible, secure dogs in the back garden (rather than the front) and keep any side gates securely closed.
• Keep your dogs leashed on the street and at a safe distance from a Postie.
• If you are expecting a delivery, be careful when opening your front door, make sure your dog doesn’t run out from behind you. Securing them in another room is a great way to prevent this.
• If properly securing your dog is not possible, consider using our convenient 24:7 Parcel Lockers.

[1] Australia Post Dog Safety data, 30 April 2024 to 30 October 2024

(Australia Post)