Australia Post’s warning to dog owners as attacks on SA posties soar

SA posties have been attacked by dogs once every two days over the past six months with fears this could rise over the festive season. Find out the suburbs with the most incidents.

If you’re a dog owner, chances are your furry friend’s arch nemesis is your local postie.

While most dogs are more bark than bite, you’d be hard pressed to find a postie who hasn’t had a nasty encounter with new data revealing 90 South Australian posties have been attacked in the last six months.

Among them is northern suburbs postman John Centenera, 44, who was bitten by an American Staffy in April – just three months after landing the job.

“I was just minding my own business delivering to the letterbox and this dog jumped at the (unlatched) screendoor and unbenowkst to the owner got through,” he said.

“It hit the ground sprinting and got a piece of my leg.

“I had one puncture wound but I was able to get away and at the first place I stopped there was a nurse off-duty who gave me the best care possible.”

SA postie John Centenera was bitten by an American Staffy just three months after starting the job. Picture: Supplied

He was bitten after the dog got through an unlatched screen door. Picture: Supplied

After taking a short break from that round, it happened once again with the same dog within a month of re-delivering at that address.

While Mr Centenra was able to escape unharmed that time, others aren’t always so fortunate.

“I’ve had colleagues that have been bitten by chihuahuas and people laugh but their teeth are like needles,” he said.

“One colleague of mine got mauled (by a large dog) on his upper hamstring which was a bit messier and he had to be off work for a lot longer.”

Australia Post says more than 49 posties fell victim to dog attacks in the past six months. Picture: Australia Post

Latest data from Australia Post has revealed 1,277 dog attacks have occurred nationwide in the past six months with 10 posties attacked on average per day.

90 of those attacks happened in SA with Glynde, Edinburgh North and Lonsdale recording the highest incidents across the state.

Queensland recorded the highest amount of attacks at 505, followed by NSW and WA with 367 and 152 respectively.

With one in three incidents occurring at the customer’s front door, Australia Post General Manager of Safety and Wellbeing Rod Maule urged owners to secure their dogs, particularly during the festive season.

“Dog owners need to be mindful that all visitors, including posties, should have safe access to the front door without being stopped by a dog,” he said.