Posties armed with citronella spray to ward off dogs

Jack Gramenz |

Postal workers will be equipped with a new defence against aggressive dogs after a rise in attacks.
Postal workers will be equipped with a new defence against aggressive dogs after a rise in attacks.

Man’s best friend has a common enemy but their employer has a new plan to help cut down on the scores of attacks every week.

Australia Post will arm posties with citronella spray to ward off dog attacks after more than 1150 dog-related incidents since November.

The water-based citronella spray has been introduced as a defence measure to protect posties, after repeated appeals for dog owners to secure them during deliveries failed to quell attacks.

The spray temporarily distracts the dogs and allows posties to move to safety.

“Dog-related hazards”- about 35,000 of them – are also flagged in the devices carried by posties.

Queensland led the nation in recent post-related dog incidents, with 388, slightly more than the 329 that took place in NSW, according to Australia Post data.

Western Australia rounded out the top three with 184 incidents.

Aggressive dog
A rise in dog attacks on posties has prompted Australia Post to equip them with citronella spray. (HANDOUT/AUSTRALIA POST)

WA postie Bronwyn Adamson dealt with many dogs who have traumatic pasts in her former occupation as a vet nurse.

But she is more nervous than ever around dogs after being attacked while delivering a parcel.

“A dog escaped from behind a gate and bit me on my breast, leaving a puncture wound and severe bruising which developed into a golf ball-sized haematoma,” she said.

The citronella spray will provide peace of mind and protection from another attack, she said.

Australia Post parcel locker
Dog owners are advised to use parcel lockers if they are unable to control them. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)

The rate of dog-related incidents is alarming but the spray is largely effective in de-escalating the incidents, Australia Post safety manager Russell Munro said.

“When our people continue to end up in hospital, we have a responsibility to act,” Mr Munro said.

“This is a last-resort measure.”

All posties are expected to be equipped with the spray by the end of July, with parcel delivery drivers to follow.

The increased frequency of parcel deliveries has led to almost 40 per cent of incidents happening on the property of people receiving a parcel, about half of those incidents coming when they open the door to accept a delivery.

Almost 60 per cent of the incidents happen on the street, with roaming dogs of particular concern.

Australia Post advises dog owners to secure their dogs while posties make delivery or consider using their nearest parcel locker if unable to do so.

AAP