England : Monday, 21 February 2011 (Local Time)
Postal workers across the county have been warned to take extra care to avoid dog attacks this week.
Half-term holidays have been identified by Royal Mail as a time postal staff are most at risk.
The firm says owners are less vigilant with their dogs when children are at home from school.
The warning comes as new figures show the frequency of animal attacks on Lincolnshire's postal workers in the past five years.
A Freedom Of Information request showed one postman in Lincolnshire has already fallen victim to an animal attack this year.
Last year, 28 animal attacks were reported to Royal Mail – down from 45 the previous year.
There were 33 reported animal attacks in 2008, up from 25 in 2007.
Concerned postal staff used to have the option of requesting animal deterrents such as peppermint spray, CS spray and high-frequency alarms.
But these deterrents have been phased out, as they were deemed ineffective.
Instead, Royal Mail is issuing advice to both postal workers and dog owners on how to avoid an attack from an aggressive dog.
A spokesman said: "The majority of dog owners in Lincolnshire are very responsible when it comes to keeping delivery staff safe.
"But dog bites are still a major cause of injury to our postmen and women and the effects can cause considerable stress to those concerned.
"We therefore appreciate it when dog owners take extra care to keep their pets under control when we arrive with their post.
"For example, we advise them to keep their pets indoors at the time of mail deliveries, or we may ask them to fit a cage inside the door to catch the mail."
The Communication Workers Union (CWU), which represents postal staff, has distanced itself from dog deterrents, labelling them a "false sense of security".
It is instead lobbying the Government to change the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 to give more protection to those who face regular threats from pets.
According to CWU, 70 per cent of dog attacks take place on private property and concerns have been raised that people such as postal workers are left unprotected by the law.
The union's health, safety and environment officer, Dave Joyce, said: "We have been pointing out for years that the vast majority of attacks take place on garden paths, private driveways and, in many cases, through letter boxes.
"It is of the utmost importance that this particular aspect of the law is changed as soon as possible as thousands of workers are left vulnerable under current arrangements."
Story and foto from : www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk
