Royal Mail has warned homeowners with dogs that they face the possibility of having postal deliveries suspended if they ignore a simple four-word rule. The postal service, which delivers to roughly 32 million homes and businesses across the UK, is urging dog owners to place a notice bearing the words 'I HAVE A DOG' on their doors or windows to alert posties and prevent interruptions.
Attacks on Postal Workers: 2,197 Incidents in 2024/25
Royal Mail disclosed that its staff experienced 2,197 dog attacks during the 2024/25 financial year, equivalent to 42 incidents every week. Almost half of these attacks occurred at the front door as residents received deliveries, underscoring the risk even from normally well-behaved dogs when a stranger approaches their home.
According to company policy, postal workers are permitted to cease delivering to an address if they consider a dog presents a safety threat. In certain instances, mail will be retained at the customer's local Delivery Office until Royal Mail is convinced the danger has been addressed, meaning homeowners may need to retrieve their letters and parcels personally.
The 'I HAVE A DOG' Sign: A Simple Precaution
Royal Mail has created a downloadable notice that reads: 'I HAVE A DOG. Please wait whilst I secure my dog before opening the door.' The printable sign can be displayed on a front door or window to alert postal workers that a dog is present before they attempt to make a delivery. The notice is intended to give owners sufficient time to safely restrain the animal before answering the door.
A Royal Mail spokesperson said: 'Even if your dog is friendly, it can become protective when someone approaches your property. By displaying an "I HAVE A DOG" sign and making sure your pet is safely secured before opening the door, customers can help protect our posties and reduce the likelihood of deliveries being interrupted.'
Additional Safety Recommendations
Royal Mail also recommends that owners keep dogs away from the front door when awaiting a delivery, ensure children do not answer the door if a pet is loose inside the property, and make certain that gates and garden access points are properly secured. The company cautions that where a dog continues to present a risk, deliveries may be suspended until suitable safety measures are implemented, with customers instead required to collect their post from their local Delivery Office.
