Attacks by dogs on postal workers

Motion Text

That this House notes the rise in attacks by dogs on postal workers throughout the UK and especially in Northern Ireland, where the Royal Mail has stated that the 12 per cent rise in incidents in Northern Ireland is extremely worrying and that there were 1,916 dog attacks on postal workers logged during the year to 31 March 2023; highlights that some postal workers suffered serious injuries; notes that these figures were released at the start of the annual dog awareness week as officials urge owners to take proper measures to ensure their pets pose no threat to postal workers through responsible dog ownership due to the fact that dog attacks on postal workers resulted in more than 3,014 days of absence last year; and urges owners to be mindful of the duties of those who deliver post so we can do all we can to reduce attacks on postal workers.