An Post reports increase in animal attacks on postal staff

Updated / Thursday, 22 Oct 2026 17:51

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With winter starting to settle in, online shopping and postcards from abroad will start to increase ahead of Christmas, meaning that postal workers will be busier than ever.

With this in mind, An Post is appealing to dog owners to keep their pets under control within their houses and gardens while letters and parcels are being delivered.

There has been an increase in animal attacks on postal staff while making deliveries in urban and rural locations so far in 2026, with 118 incidents of varying degrees of severity, compared to 99 in the same period last year.

An Post employees are instructed in managing dog risks, but it is the responsibility of the dog owner to keep control of their animal while post is being delivered.

Even the friendliest of dogs can be upset by strangers, with the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) noting that a person approaching a home or garden can make some dogs feel worried or under threat.

However, responsibility for controlling a dog rests with its owner.

They advise keeping your dog safely indoors, behind a secure barrier or in a separate area while someone is accessing your property. This is particularly important if your dog can access the entrance, garden, driveway, gate or other area used for deliveries.

Delivery people should never have to pass or interact with a loose dog to make a delivery. Where possible, householders should consider having a secure post box or designated delivery point that can be accessed without entering the dog’s space.

As Kate Fitzsimons, Dog Training and Behaviour Specialist with the NSPCA, says: "Good dog management also protects our dogs from situations where they may feel frightened, threatened or the need to react."

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