Australia Post issues plea to pet owners as it reveals worst state and worst dogs for postie attacks

More than 55 posties a week are being attacked by dogs while on the job, sparking calls for dog owners to call their hounds to heel.

Australia Post says there has over 1400 dog-related incidents in the last six months — making for an alarming 11 incidents a day.

Queensland continues to record the highest number of incidents with 466 in the past six months, followed by NSW with 408 and Western Australia with 215.

Australia Post data found that while most incidents occur in streets where dogs are unsupervised or have escaped their homes and yards, 15 per cent of posties report being bitten while putting mail through the letterbox.

And while the data did not pinpoint one particular dog breed as being more likely to attack than another, it found that smaller dogs often show the most aggression.

Australia Post General Manager of Safety and Wellbeing Rod Maule, called on dog owners to take responsibility for their pets.

“Our team members just want to be able to deliver for our customers, without being attacked, harassed, or chased by dogs,” Mr Maule said.

“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 fixed.”

Mr Mule said customers must understand how “stressful or triggering” it can be knowing their delivery round “may involve a dog that shows aggressive behaviour”.

Although most attacks are reportedly by unsupervised or escaped dogs, almost half of all incidents take place at customers’ properties; and almost a third of dog incidents at home occur at the front door.

The warning comes a year after a similarly concerning report from Australia Post which found dog attacks against posties had increased.

Australia Post also reports dog-related incidents to relevant local councils to ensure enforcement is actioned.