PRESS RELEASE: Esure
Written: Thursday 9th July, 2009
RUFF JUSTICE
NEWS COPY
The Pit Bull Terrier was yesterday (Mon) voted Britain's scariest dog - by the nation's postmen.
The terrifying breed came top of the pile in a poll of posties around the country, with the larger and more muscly Rottweiler in second place.
In third place was the British Bulldog and in fourth was the Jack Russell. The Boxer dog was fifth.
It also emerged three quarters of the country's army of morning deliverymen and women have been subjected to intimidating dogs on their daily round.
Over half have considered asking to swap rounds due to a fear of being attacked by a householders pet and four out of ten have thought about leaving their job due to a dog.
Mike Pickard, head of pet insurance at esure, who carried out the study, said: ''Man's best friend can be a postman's worst enemy if not properly trained by its owner.
''With 'Beware Of The Dog' signs commonplace on letterboxes and gates across the UK, it's not just the usual suspects such as the Pit Bull that are putting posties on edge during their rounds.
''Smaller toy breeds such as the Yorkie and Jack Russell were also named and shamed.
''Owners should always have control of their dog at home and when out and about.
''However, having pet insurance adds extra peace of mind as it covers owners for personal injury claims or the damage to someone's property caused by a dog attack - whether it be a postman, relative or just a passer-by.''
Other breeds to strike fear into the nation's posties include Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Border Collies and Border Terriers.
Doberman Pinschers and Yorkshire Terriers also made the top ten.
Just under half of the posties polled said they were frequently growled at and 39 per cent have been the subject of teeth bearing.
More than half regularly endure a dog barking at them and shockingly, one in four have been bitten by a dog on their round.
One in four have also had their clothes damaged when trying to escape from a dog.
It also emerged more than a third (36 per cent) have tried to appease a dog by offering them bones, biscuits and chews.
But just under half (44 per cent) admit bribes often don't work as they've had to run away from a dog on their patch.
POSTIE'S MOST FEARED DOGS
1. Pit Bull Terrier
2. Rottweiler
3. Bulldog
4. Jack Russell
5. Boxer
6. Staffordshire Bull Terrier
7. Border Collie
8. Border Terrier
9. Doberman Pinscher
10. Yorkshire Terrier
ENDS
Research conducted by global market research company www.onepoll.com
