Guernsey Post Implements Measures to Protect Staff from Dog Incidents

Guernsey Post has distributed information cards to its customers as part of an effort to safeguard its employees from dog attacks. The postal service stated that “in the past few months our posties have been bitten four times and reported 53 near misses.” Shelley Carberry, the health and safety manager at Guernsey Post, commented, “We have a duty of care to protect our staff, and we’re committed to working with customers to keep our posties safe.” The distributed card offers guidance on preventing dogs from approaching postal workers and can also be displayed in a window to alert staff to the presence of a dog at the residence. Mrs. Carberry explained that these incidents frequently happen when dog owners open their doors, unintentionally allowing their pets to exit. She added, “Additionally, we’ve noticed a rise in near misses, often happening when our posties enter gardens to deliver mail where there’s no signage indicating a dog may be present.” She noted that in such circumstances, dogs might act protectively of their territory, viewing postal workers as a potential threat. Mrs. Carberry stated, “We encourage the use of designated safe places for deliveries, especially where dogs are present, as avoiding knocking on the door reduces stress for both the dogs and our team.” She also mentioned that “We have had a few cases requiring police reports, and where necessary, we work closely with customers to identify suitable alternative delivery points to ensure a safe and reliable service for everyone involved.”