November 4th 2024.
Recent data from Australia Post has revealed the worst suburbs in Australia for dog attacks on posties, with Queensland ranking as the top spot and New South Wales following closely behind. In the last six months alone, there have been 1277 dog-related incidents reported nationwide, averaging about 10 postal workers being attacked every day.
Joe Benforte, an Australia Post worker, shared with 9news.com.au that there is an incident involving a dog every single day. He recalled his personal experience of being attacked while on his postal route in the Campbelltown area. Despite seeing the dog on a leash, Benforte assumed he was safe. However, in a matter of seconds, the dog's behavior changed and it jumped into his buggy, biting him on the back of his leg.
Bleeding heavily, Benforte reached out to a nearby colleague for assistance and logged the attack in a postie hazard device before seeking medical attention. He received a tetanus shot and had to get four puncture wounds stitched up. It took him three days to recover before returning to work with a newfound apprehension towards dogs.
The numbers show that Queensland recorded 505 attacks in the last six months, while New South Wales reported 367. In Queensland, the most common suburbs for attacks were Darra, Stafford, and Toowoomba, while in New South Wales, the worst suburbs were Lidcombe, Alexandria, and Ingleburn. Western Australia reported 152 incidents, Victoria had 114, and South Australia reported 90. However, the Australian Capital Territory had the lowest number of attacks with only three, followed by Tasmania with 22, and the Northern Territory with 24.
Benforte, who has been working with Australia Post for five years, has noticed an increase in the frequency of dog attacks on posties, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic when dog ownership spiked. He shares that almost every other house has a dog, either inside or outside, making it crucial for postal workers to be extra vigilant.
Interestingly, there is no specific breed responsible for these attacks. Benforte's first encounter was with a pit bull, while the second was with a poodle, a breed not typically known for aggressive behavior. He mentioned that in one instance, a dog got so agitated by the postie being behind the door to collect a signature that it started attacking its owner.
One-third of dog-related incidents on posties occur at the front door during parcel delivery, prompting Australia Post to urge the public to take necessary precautions. This includes keeping dogs secured in another room or behind the owner when opening the front door for a delivery. Some customers have even installed child gates to keep their dogs away from posties.
Dog owners are also advised to keep their front gates closed at all times and secure outdoor dogs in their backyards instead of the front, where they are more likely to encounter postal workers. Additionally, it is recommended to always keep dogs leashed in public and maintain a safe distance from posties.
Australia Post stresses the importance of dog owners taking these measures as it not only ensures the safety of postal workers but also makes their job a lot easier. They have also introduced a WhatsApp channel for people to stay updated on the latest news, celebrity updates, and sports without any comments or algorithms.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
