Union Urges Dog Owner Discipline After Mail Carrier Bitten in Mai Po
HK01 · 3 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
The Hong Kong Postal Workers' Union has raised alarms about the lack of protection for front-line mail carriers following a dog attack in Yuen Long's Mai Po area. On September 11, a mail carrier delivering letters by bicycle was bitten on the waist and foot by a dog that pounced from behind as he dismounted to deliver mail. The union chairman appeared on a radio programme on September 23 to highlight that mail carriers work with zero protective equipment, despite facing regular threats from dogs in rural areas. The incident occurred just two weeks before a woman was killed by dogs while cycling in Yuen Long, prompting broader community concern about responsible pet ownership.
Key Points
- A mail carrier was bitten on the waist and left foot by a dog in Mai Po on September 11 while delivering mail by bicycle
- The dog emerged from behind as the mail carrier dismounted to place letters in a mailbox, biting his waist and foot before the owner intervened
- The injured mail carrier called for help, the dog owner arrived to restrain the animal, and the victim reported the incident to police before seeking hospital treatment
- Mail carriers in the New Territories previously carried "dog guns" (small pepper spray) in the 1990s, but the government discontinued them citing safety concerns
- In around 2004, the department trialed two-foot rattan sticks as an alternative, but mail carriers rejected them due to impracticality
- Currently, front-line postal workers have absolutely no defensive equipment and face complaints if they use sticks to ward off dogs due to CCTV coverage in village houses
- Hong Kong Postal Workers' Union chairman Cheung Wai-kuen emphasized that mail carriers cannot avoid such incidents through caution alone, and called for dog owner self-discipline
Why It Matters
This incident highlights the ongoing safety risks faced by postal workers in Hong Kong's rural areas and underscores the broader debate over responsible pet ownership following two fatal dog attacks in recent months. The union's appeal for dog owners to properly restrain their animals reflects growing community concern about balancing pet ownership rights with public safety obligations.
This incident highlights the ongoing safety risks faced by postal workers in Hong Kong's rural areas and underscores the broader debate over responsible pet ownership following two fatal dog attacks in recent months. The union's appeal for dog owners to properly restrain their animals reflects growing community concern about balancing pet ownership rights with public safety obligations.