Overview
- Australia Post logged roughly nine dog-related incidents per day over the past six months, or about 46 per week.
- Mail service will be halted to properties or streets where a postie is injured or threatened, and every incident is reported to local councils.
- NSW has overtaken Queensland as the worst-affected state, with hotspots including Penrith, Warabrook, Villawood and Moree.
- Citronella spray issued to posties has deterred dogs in about 90% of cases, complementing prevention steps such as delivery-time app reminders and parcel lockers.
- Most incidents occur off property boundaries, with 62% on the street, over 80% involving roaming dogs, and one in three street cases involving a chase; Royal Mail in the UK has issued similar warnings about temporary suspensions.