Dog attacks on Australian postal workers have skyrocketed with almost 1000 incidents in the past five months, sparking a plea for dog owners to secure their pets.

The warning comes after an electrical contractor was fatally mauled by two dogs during an horrific attack south of Brisbane earlier this month.

The two animals, a bandog-bullmastiff cross and a Rhodesian ridgeback cross attacked and killed the contractor after he entered the property to read an electricity meter on December 3.

Australia Post says attacks on workers have increased more than 55 per cent, with an average of almost seven incidents a day since July 2022.

Most attacks reported in NSW

The figure is nearly double the four daily attacks in the previous year.

Most of the attacks have been reported in NSW, with 351 dog-related incidents since July, followed by 281 in Queensland and another 183 in WA.

It has been an alarming increase in the number of dog-related incidents and the severity of injuries, Australia Post Executive General Manager People and Culture Susan Davies said.

“As we head into the busiest delivery time of the year, we want to ensure that our posties are protected,” Ms Davies said.

Posties have been left battered and bleeding, with injuries including puncture wounds, lacerations, scratches and bites.

“Sadly, team members have also suffered from long-term psychological impacts following an attack.”

Dog owners who fail to secure their pets could risk missing out on a delivery, Ms Davies said.

“Our posties are just trying to do their job, and if they feel that a situation is unsafe when they approach a home, they will not make the delivery.”

-AAP