Australia Post is calling on the community to do its bit and help keep posties and delivery drivers safe with the launch of a new campaign centred on dog safety.
Executive General Manager of Deliveries at Australia Post, Rod Barnes said households across the country would receive postcards in their letterboxes, encouraging residents to protect their pets, their posties and their neighbourhood.
“Every workday last financial year, at least three posties, drivers or delivery contractors were attacked by dogs while delivering letters and parcels for the community – that’s over 1,000 incidents across the year,” Mr Barnes said.
“Already this year there have been over 860 dog-related incidents with more than 350 injuries recorded,” he said.
Mr Barnes said it was vital that people in the community understood and considered the risks posties, drivers and delivery contractors faced and that they took steps to help keep workers out of harm’s way.
“Safety is our number one priority at Australia Post, but each year too many of our people are injured by unsecured dogs,” he said.
“Even the cutest and most mild-mannered dog can have strong protective instincts and pose a threat or safety concern if it’s not secured, and our people simply cannot deliver if it’s unsafe, which can then delay the delivery for the customer.”
Mr Barnes said Australia Post had a range of alternate delivery points for customers who were unable to secure their dogs, with options to send parcels directly to a Post Office, PO Box or one of more than 500 free 24/7 Parcel Lockers.
Further information on Australia Post’s collection points can be accessed at this PS News link.
