WARNING: This article contains descriptions of dog attacks that some readers may find distressing.
If you’ve ever watched your local postie zip down the street, rain or shine, you’ll know they’re the unsung heroes of our neighbourhoods.
But behind the cheery waves and the familiar hum of the postie bike, there’s a growing danger that’s putting their safety at risk: a dramatic surge in dog attacks.
Australia Post has announced a significant new safety measure in response to this alarming trend.
By the end of July, every postie in the country will be equipped with a citronella spray deterrent—a move prompted by a staggering 1,150 threatening dog encounters recorded since November.
That’s an average of nine posties forced to flee for their safety every single day.
A hidden hazard on the doorstep
While most of us think of dog attacks as rare, the reality for posties is far more confronting. Russell Munro, Australia Post’s General Manager of Safety, paints a sobering picture: ‘Apart from the normal bites and scratches, we’ve seen posties knocked off bikes,’ he said.
‘We’ve also seen psychological trauma for our posties following serious dog attacks. Last year, one of our posties had her foot seriously injured when a dog bit through her boot.’
It’s not just the physical injuries—though those can be severe, as in the case of Bronwyn Adamson, a former vet nurse and now a postie in Western Australia.
She recounted a recent attack: ‘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.’ For Bronwyn and her colleagues, the new citronella spray offers a much-needed sense of security.
How does the citronella spray work?
The spray, which is water-based and non-toxic, was trialled last year in some of the worst-affected areas in NSW and Queensland.
The results were promising: it successfully deterred 80 per cent of attacks. The idea is simple—citronella’s strong scent temporarily distracts the dog, giving the postie precious seconds to retreat and call for help.
Importantly, it’s not harmful to the animal and will only be used as a last resort.
Australia Post is prioritising delivery of the spray to posties in high-risk areas first, with Moree in NSW singled out as a particular hotspot.
All employees will receive training before being issued the spray, ensuring it’s used safely and appropriately.
Why are attacks increasing?
The rise in attacks is partly due to the boom in parcel deliveries—think online shopping, especially since the pandemic.
Almost 40 per cent of recent attacks happened on a customer’s property, and in half of those cases, the front door had been left propped open. Roaming dogs are also a major concern, accounting for 39 per cent of incidents on the street.
Australia Post has released confronting footage showing just how quickly things can escalate: dogs bursting out of front doors, leaping fences, and chasing posties as they try to escape.
It’s a stark reminder that even the friendliest family pet can become territorial or startled by a stranger in hi-vis.
Where are the hotspots?
Here’s a breakdown of the worst-affected areas since November:
- Queensland (388 incidents): Darra, Bundamba, Toowoomba
- New South Wales (329): Moree, Penrith, Waterloo
- Western Australia (184): Joondalup, Geraldton, Malaga
- Victoria (138): Oakleigh South, Mooroolbark, Deepdene, Mornington
- South Australia (60): Glynde, Lonsdale, Edinburgh North, Salisbury South
- Tasmania (27): Launceston, Burnie, Devonport, Hobart
- ACT (17): Canberra South, Mitchell, Tuggeranong
- Northern Territory (10): Katherine, Palmerston, Darwin
What can pet owners do?
Australia Post is urging all pet owners to take simple steps to keep everyone safe. If you’re expecting a delivery, secure your dog in a contained area, a separate room, or behind a locked gate.
Even if your dog is usually gentle, the excitement or anxiety of a stranger approaching the house can trigger unexpected behaviour.
A community responsibility
It’s easy to forget that our everyday routines—like leaving the front door open or letting the dog roam the yard—can have serious consequences for others. As parcel deliveries become more frequent, it’s up to all of us to help keep our posties safe.
Have you or someone you know had a close call with a dog during a delivery? Do you have tips for keeping pets calm when the postie arrives?
We’d love to hear your stories and suggestions in the comments below. Let’s work together to make our neighbourhoods safer for everyone, two-legged and four-legged alike.
Also read: Australia Post to expand distribution sites in regional NSW
The owners of the dogs should also be charged. Dogs should not be outside without a lead.
Dogs should be kept in the back yard not front yard. If the dog is inside, the front door should be shut AND locked not left ajar. I believe the posties should report the house number to the Council and or Police so they can be spoken to officially about their dog’s actions. If the dog is wandering the street a council worker should restrain it and take it to the pound and the owner fined.
If a dog attacks you leave a card saying the post will no longer be delivered to this address until the issue is rectified it will need to be picked up by the customer I’m pretty sure the issue will be dealt with