Australian posties are feeling the bite in the lead up to Christmas after a sharp rise in dog attacks.
More than 50 postal workers are being attacked every week while delivering letters and packages, with Queensland and NSW recording the biggest spike.
Tamworth, Nepean and Alexandra in NSW, Stafford and Darra in Queensland and Rockingham in WA are the areas with the highest number of dog-related incidents nationally.
Pet owners are being urged to make sure their dogs are secure after the spike in attacks.
Australia Post general manager of safety and wellbeing Rod Maule said attacks were most frequently happening at the front door as posties tried to deliver packages.
"This is our busiest time of year, in fact in all metro capitals and some regional cities and towns we are now delivering up to seven days a week, so it's more important than ever to keep dogs secure," he said.
"We know our customers are eager to get their deliveries however our team's safety comes first and if it's not safe for our posties to approach a home, then they won't be able to deliver."
Along with training staff, Australia Post has introduced several preventative measures to reduce dog attacks.
This includes a digital hazard tracker that allows posties to log a dangerous dog's location which will alert other staff when they approach the house, allowing them to avoid it or take extra care.
