Australia Post says postal workers are facing a growing threat from dog encounters, with 42 dog-related incidents recorded across the state in the past six months.
Launceston, Devonport, Burnie, Kingston and Ulverstone recorded the highest number of dog-related incidents in the state.
The Tasmanian figures form part of a national picture that has Australia Post sounding the alarm over the safety of its delivery workers.
Across the country, more than 1,200 dog-related incidents were reported in the same six-month period – an average of nine incidents every day, a 5% increase on the year before.
47 posties encountered an aggressive or unrestrained dog each week.
Almost two-thirds of incidents happen on the street after a dog escapes a property or is roaming freely and more than a third of those involve posties being chased.
Australis Post said injuries range from bites, puncture wounds and scratches to more serious cases where posties have been knocked off their vehicles or needed hospital treatment.
Australia Post general manager of safety Russell Munro said the trend is concerning.
“Posties encounter multiple dogs every day while delivering and some can pose a real safety risk,” he said.
“What seems like a routine delivery can quickly escalate and our posties can’t predict how a dog may react, regardless of breed or temperament.”
Munro said the rise of online shopping means more deliveries and more front-door interactions, creating stressful situations for dogs.
Citronella spray, introduced a year ago as a last resort for posties, has proven effective in 95% of cases over the past six months.
“While citronella gives our team members an extra layer of protection, prevention remains the most effective solution,” Munro said.
He urged dog owners expecting deliveries to keep their pets securely contained in a separate room or behind a locked gate.
Australia Post reports all dog incidents to local councils and said they may suspend deliveries to unsafe properties or streets.
