Hounded postal workers facing daily battles with errant dogs

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Hounded postal workers facing daily battles with errant canines http://www.thecourier.co.uk/News/articl ... nines.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Post workers in Tayside and Fife are running a daily gauntlet of fear of dog attacks.

John Brown, Scottish regional secretary of the Communication Workers Union, said dog attacks are a big problem for posties in the area.

The union estimates that some 5,000 postal workers and around 400 telecom engineers are attacked by domestic pets each year — these range from minor incidenct to life-threatening injuries.

There have been 36 dog attacks on postal workers in the DD postcode area in the last two years — but unions say the figure could be even higher because many incidents go unreported.

Posties have suffered injuries to the shins, ankles, thighs, hips, arms, hands and even the shoulder following dog attacks.

The figures were obtained after a freedom of information request submitted to Royal Mail by The Courier.

Mr Brown said it was a problem across Courier Country and posties are right to be fearful at this time of year.

He said: ''Posties in Tayside and Fife shouldn't have to put up with this but the fact is delivery staff are worried at this time of year.

''Dogs can come out of anywhere. There is very little you can do other than retreat from the dog or else you have to take the bite, which can be really nasty.

''If it breaks the skin you have to go to hospital and get a jag. It's not just a problem in Tayside and Fife — it's a problem across the whole of the UK.''

Mr Brown said new legislation which introduced ''dog ASBOs'' in Scotland could be of little use because of a lack of wardens.

He said: ''The biggest problem is dogs that are running about loose because there is no way you can prove who owns them. Quite frankly, some of these dogs are being owned by people who use them as a reflection of their own aggression.

''The Scottish Parliament has carried legislation quite recently that intensifies the action that can be taken by councils and police. The law was changed to introduce dog ASBOs to persistent offenders to clampdown on irresponsible owners.

''The posties in your area are quite right to be disturbed and worried and it's possible that even though legislation has been brought in by the Scottish Parliament, because councils are not being funded to provide enough dog wardens, the legislation could actually be of little use, because you need dog wardens to round up these dogs and establish the owner.''

CWU believes the current dogs laws are insufficient and leave workers vulnerable.

A spokesman for the Royal Mail said: ''The safety of its staff is a main priority for Royal Mail Group, and we ensure that advice is provided to staff regarding how to reduce the risk of attack by an animal.

''Royal Mail and the Communication Workers Union have pledged to work together to raise awareness of the dangers of aggressive dogs. Proactive measures by the business include sending letters to owners of aggressive animals and warning staff where dangerous animals live.

''Whilst the Royal Mail has a legal commitment to deliver to all addresses, it also has a duty under Health and Safety law to reduce risks and prevent injury to our people. Every attack or incident should be reported to a manager and all reported incidents are investigated."

[brothermagrew]

Mr Brown said new legislation which introduced ''dog ASBOs'' in Scotland could be of little use because of a lack of wardens.
John Brown, Scottish regional secretary should know that it was Dog Control Notices that was introduced in Scotland as part of the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010. There may indeed be a lack of wardens but that is down to each individual council and as for the new legislation the Act itself says that with regards to "authorised officers" (those who serve the dog control notices) each local authority must appoint at least one such officer.

CWU believes the current dogs laws are insufficient and leave workers vulnerable.
Bollocks, the CWU has warmly praised and welcomed the introduction of the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010. Especially the emphasis on 'deed and not breed' and of course the amendment to the DDA 1991.

Amendment of Dangerous Dogs Act 1991
In section 3(1) of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (c.65) (keeping dogs under proper
control), for the words “a public place” there is substituted “any place (whether or not a
public place)”.

Between the period 26th Feb 2011 (when the full provisions of the new Scottish Act took effect) - 4th November 2011, with regards to Tayside (Angus council, Dundee City council & Perth & Kinross council) Angus council has investigated 25 complaints and served 0 dog control notices. Dundee City council has investigated 2 complaints and served 0 dog control notices and Perth & Kinross council has investigated 36 complaints and served 0 dog control notices.

Similarly within the same timespan as above with regards to Fife - Fife council has investigated 25 complaints and has served 5 dog control notices.

[bsaman]

Hi i get any sort of dog aggro i dont deliver as simple as that i deliver to a road that has a dog that will have a go at you in any garden in the road.So i stopped delivering in that road it soon got sorted when people did not get any mail. My manerger tried to make me deliver mail in that road i told him he could have a go if he wanted guess what the wimp refused.

[AdTheBad]

Same here bsaman,
Mail gets endorsed "no access (date) dog loose", Manager told upon return.
Same old crap from dog owners " but he wouldnt....."
I tellem to keep the access free and that I usually win in a dog fight.