Postie “severely bitten” by dog

Monday 20 April 2020

Jersey Post has warned islanders to keep their dogs restrained while posties make their deliveries after one was “severely bitten."

In an urgent customer notice posted to Facebook on Friday, the island’s key delivery service explained: “Yesterday one of our posties was severely bitten when delivering a package to a customer's Secure Drop.

“Please remember that if you are at home during the COVID-19 outbreak and have a dog, please help keep our posties safe by ensuring your dog is restrained when the posties are making their deliveries. Thank you.”

Hundreds of islanders shared their well wishes with the postie and rest of the team, who are all deemed essential workers.

“Hope the postie is ok, must have been a real fright. Thank you for everything you are all doing, posties are amazing and we can’t thank them enough. Stay safe,” one wrote.

Another added: “So sorry to hear this. I do hope the postie feels better soon. Especially as I know your wonderful posties are all very brave when faced with snarlers and most carry dog treats in their pockets for well behaved hounds. Sending get well wishes.” 

In 2018, Jersey Post said their workers were experiencing an average of one attack per month. 

“We have had a number of incidents in recent years that have required hospitalisation and a period of absence from work. On one occasion a number of years ago a postal worker needed to be sent to the UK for treatment, as he had previously had his spleen removed and, following a dog bite, his immune system couldn't cope with the infection,” a spokesperson told Express at the time. 

Keeping dogs under control and at a safe distance while post is delivered are just one of many ways islanders can help posties at the moment.

To help protect them from covid-19, islanders without a SecureDrop area are being asked to display cards inviting posties to ring the doorbell or knock on the door and leave any items that won’t fit through the letter box near the door to avoid person-to-person contact.