THE number of dog attacks on postal workers have more than doubled in Cumbria.

According to figures by the Royal Mail, attacks in the CA postcode area have increased from six in 2017/18 up to 13 in 2018/19.

Reacting to the figures, Royal Mail’s Shaun Davis, global director of safety, health, wellbeing and sustainability, said: “Naturally we are concerned as an organisation to see an increase such as this, so we ask our employees and our customers to remain as vigilant as they can and think about the ways that they can support the dog awareness message and drive down attacks.

"We have a range of no cost and low-cost options that our customers may like to consider on our website.”

Communication Workers Union National Health and Safety Officer Dave Joyce added: “As our members deliver more parcels, express, tracked and signed-for deliveries as a result of booming internet sales, dog owning customers are failing in their responsibility to postal workers by simply securing their dogs before opening the door.

"As a result, too many dog attacks occur, with 82 per cent of these on the doorstep or garden path.

"This must stop - we want dog owners to work with us and support postal workers who they rely on to deliver their goods.

"For those who act irresponsibly, we need the police and courts to clamp down on bad ownership using the full force of the law.

"These people must be held to account for the often devastating and life changing injuries sustained by postmen and women which are becoming all too familiar.

“Taking simple precautions can prevent the pain for everyone concerned.

"We are appealing to all customers who are dog owners to work with us and ‘think TWICE’ when the postman or postwoman calls.

"Put the dog away in a secure room before opening the door to collect and sign for deliveries."