Royal Mail is urging millions of households across the UK to display a simple warning sign in their front window to prevent potential delivery suspensions and protect postal workers from dog attacks. Around 41% of UK households—approximately 11.5 to 12 million homes—own a dog, and pet-related injuries to postal workers can include serious bites to the hands through letterboxes and attacks from dogs that escape from houses or gardens.
Free Sign Available to Download
The free printable sign, available on the Royal Mail website, reads: 'I HAVE A DOG. Please wait whilst I secure my dog before opening the door.' It should ideally be placed in a window near the front door so postal workers can see it before the pet is alerted to their arrival. For homes without printer access, a handmade sign can also be used.
Royal Mail can suspend deliveries if a dog is loose, aggressive, or poses a safety risk. The warning sign helps protect postal workers from the thousands of dog attacks that occur annually. In addition to displaying the sign, dog owners are encouraged to manage their pets when expecting post or deliveries by moving the dog to a different room, securing garden gates, and using a wire cage over the letterbox to prevent bites.
Tips to Prevent Incidents
Distracting dogs with food or a toy while mail is being delivered can reduce stress or excitability. For frequent deliveries, training a dog to go to a specific 'place' or bed when the doorbell rings, with a reward for staying until the delivery is finished, is also recommended.
What Happens If There Is an Incident?
If Royal Mail suspends delivery due to a dog incident, all mail to the address is stopped immediately and held at the local Delivery Office. The suspension can apply to just one home or an entire street if a loose dog is deemed a threat. A Royal Mail manager typically issues a formal letter outlining required safety changes before deliveries resume, which may include installing an external mailbox at the outer gate boundary, fitting a secure wire letterbox cage, and providing written assurance that the dog will be kept in a secure room during delivery hours. Affected homes must collect their mail from the local Delivery Office with proof of address and valid photo ID.
