THE number of postal workers attacked by dogs in the Bradford district has risen by 88 per cent in one year.

Figures released today by the Royal Mail show that 32 postmen and women were attacked between April 2016 and April 2017.

There have been 115 attacks on postal workers in the Bradford district over the last five years, between April 2012 and April 2017, out of a total of 14,500 attacks recorded in the UK over the same period.

On average, seven attacks take place each day across the UK, with some leading to permanent and disabling injury.

The figures have been released as part of Royal Mail’s Dog Awareness Week, which starts today and aims to encourage responsible dog ownership and raise awareness of the number of attacks on its staff.

Bob Hulme, secretary of the Communication Workers’ Union’s Bradford & District Amalgamated Branch, condemned the number of attacks on its members.

He said: “A total of 32 dog attacks across the BD postcode is unacceptably high. If dog owners can be made aware of the serious injuries that their dogs can cause to postal staff, or any delivery people, including members of the public, it must surely encourage dog owners to ensure that their premises and surrounding area is safe for delivery people carry out their work.

“The horrendous injuries that can be caused by dogs can have serious consequences for the individual that has been attacked and the owner of the dog, so it is in everyone’s interest to keep their animals secure.”

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The study also found that the number of attacks increase during the school holidays and when parents and children are at home.

In the last year, 71 per cent of dog attacks on postal workers have happened at the front door, or in the front garden.

Rob Jenson, Royal Mail operations director, said: “There have been around 32 attacks on our postmen and women in the Bradford area in the last year and more than 2,470 across the UK.

“Some of these attacks have led to extremely serious and life- changing injuries and this is unacceptable.

“While the number of dog attacks on postmen and women has fallen in the last year, the number is still far too high. Our postmen and women need to be able to deliver the service they provide to communities across the UK, without the risk of injury.

“This is why this campaign is so important.

“We need to keep raising awareness of this serious issue and ask all dog owners to keep their pets under control and be a responsible dog owner.”

The Royal Mail’s Dog Awareness Week has been supported by organisations including the Dogs Trust and PDSA.