Animal attacks on postal carriers rise in 2012

OTTAWA – After six years delivering mail to the same neighbourhood in Orillia, Ont., Brad Windover knows residents’ names, the locations of their mailboxes and – in many cases – whether they have pets.

But his careful attention didn’t prevent an ambush by an unfamiliar dog, which ripped apart his calf on a summer day.

The attack was one of the 554 animal interactions recorded by Canada Post in 2011. The following year, there was eight per cent more: Statistics released by Canada Post show postal workers had to fend off dogs, cats and other critters 598 times in 2012.

While bees, birds and even bears can pose a threat, most of the attacks were at the paws of dogs.

“Dogs are territorial and the biggest common misconception – and, I think, denial – among pet owners is they don’t think their dog will bite. They don’t think they will attack. But they will,” Windover said, with the certainty of a 20-year Canada Post veteran.

The highest number of attacks occurred in the most populous province, Ontario, where 258 workers sparred with animals. Alberta followed at 119 attacks.

In Saskatchewan attacks dropped to 19 from 32 last year. Prince Edward Island also posted fewer animal interactions at four, compared to six the year before.

“It’s part of the job. It’s not only the animals, you have interactions with the humans and the elements,” national union representative Serge Champoux.

He said there could be many reasons behind the increase in animal interactions, including changes to the way mail is delivered.

“More and more we are on the street. Before we used to be two hours inside the office sorting the mail and the rest of the day we are out – now some people are out eight or ten hours a day,” he said, adding that longer hours on the street could lead to more time to interact with animals.

The numbers may also be higher than recorded by Canada Post, according to Champoux, who said workers are often hesitant to report incidents.

Canada Post said new work practices have nothing to do with the number of animal interactions.

“It’s unfortunately a reality, but we are proactive in dealing with it,” said spokesman Jon Hamilton.

Due to a 25 per cent decline in mail volumes per address, the postal service has made some changes, but Hamilton said people are only working eight hours and are not working later into the night.

“We serve 15 million addresses everyday with tens of thousands of people and things are going to happen along the way,” he said.

Along with on-the-job safety training, some postal workers carry registered animal repellent. In extreme cases, Canada Post may suspend the mail if an animal poses too great a risk for the postal worker.

Champoux reminded pet owners to keep animals behind fences, on a leash or inside, especially during delivery hours.

But in Windover’s experience, not everyone gets the message.

The day after it was freed from quarantine two years ago, the same dog that attacked him was tied up on the front steps, blocking Windover’s path the mailbox. He refused to deliver the mail and reported the incident.

“We are not out there to gamble. … People want to go home to their families. They don’t want to go home with slashed arteries and ripped skin,” he said.

Despite the attack and a second warning the same dog was out on the front steps again this summer.

“People are so naive to what their pets are capable of.”

Animal attacks by province

British Columbia: 64 (2011), 65 (2012)

Alberta: 93 (2011), 119 (2012)

Manitoba: 35 (2011), 44 (2012)

Ontario: 256 (2011), 258 (2012)

Quebec: 40 (2011), 48 (2012)

New Brunswick: 9 (2011), 12 (2012)

Nova Scotia: 14 (2011), 19 (2012)

Prince Edward Island: 6 (2011), 4 (2012)

Newfoundland: 5 (2011), 10 (2012)