Post union plea over dog attacks

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7799594.stm

Police do not take dog attacks on postal delivery workers seriously enough, union leaders have said.

The claim comes after postman Keith Davies suffered severe arm injuries when he was savaged by two rottweilers.

Communication Workers Union health and safety officer Dave Joyce said some police officers did not know enough about the law on dangerous dogs.

Mr Davies, 54, underwent a six-hour operation following the attack in Trumpington, near Cambridge, on Monday.

Mr Joyce said: "We want to see the police taking dog attacks more seriously - too often they don't, although some forces are better than others.

"Too often we are pushing for action and giving police advice on what the law is and what they can do."

He said the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act had "failed" and called for new legislation to allow the authorities to act earlier, with anti-social behaviour orders (Asbos) for dogs.

The current law does not apply to private property which is where attacks on staff are most likely to take place, he added.

"Too many times postmen and women are cannon fodder for these animals," Mr Joyce said.

"There seems to be a cartoon caricature image of dogs biting postmen. Being attacked by a dog isn't funny."

"Keith Davies almost had his arm ripped off. We regularly see our staff having fingers bitten off or their faces bitten. People are traumatised for life."

Mr Davies was filling in for the regular postman on a round when the dogs got past the gates of a large property.

Anthony Lunn, 44, who was carrying out building work next door, tried to fight off the dogs with an iron bar and ran one of them over with his van.

Cambridgeshire Police said the dogs had been destroyed and is making inquiries.

The Royal Mail has launched its own investigation.

[stokes11eg]

It's true though isn't it? It's almost a national institution that posties being chased / attacked by dogs is a big joke but the reality is, it can be extremley frightening. When I was first menaced by a dog on delivery I found it far from funny, my attack was nothing compared to the poor guy from Cambridge but it scared the hell out of me at the same time.

I still think each office should have cards we could pop through letterboxes of houses with difficult dogs, reminding
the owners of their duty of care.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

It's true though isn't it? It's almost a national institution that posties being chased / attacked by dogs is a big joke but the reality is, it can be extremley frightening. When I was first menaced by a dog on delivery I found it far from funny, my attack was nothing compared to the poor guy from Cambridge but it scared the hell out of me at the same time.

I still think each office should have cards we could pop through letterboxes of houses with difficult dogs, reminding
the owners of their duty of care.

The DOM or Lineo has a standard letter that does not mention a postie was attacked, merely felt threatened and if you raise your concerns with them they should send the customer a letter. A copy of the letter should also be placed into the walk log and a warning/hazard card fixed to the desk, or put in with redirections. A warning sticker should also be placed on the frame at the appropriate address,

[stokes11eg]

It's true though isn't it? It's almost a national institution that posties being chased / attacked by dogs is a big joke but the reality is, it can be extremley frightening. When I was first menaced by a dog on delivery I found it far from funny, my attack was nothing compared to the poor guy from Cambridge but it scared the hell out of me at the same time.

I still think each office should have cards we could pop through letterboxes of houses with difficult dogs, reminding
the owners of their duty of care.

The DOM or Lineo has a standard letter that does not mention a postie was attacked, merely felt threatened and if you raise your concerns with them they should send the customer a letter. A copy of the letter should also be placed into the walk log and a warning/hazard card fixed to the desk, or put in with redirections. A warning sticker should also be placed on the frame at the appropriate address,

Have to say in my office they are good that way, I had problems with a very ferocious dog, and my Manageres went to the door themselves,they almost jumped over the wall when the dog almost burst out the door at them, so I do not deliver any mail to that address. But. I still say we should have pre-printed cards, we could pop through the
letterboxes of bad owners.

[NWpostie]

I always refuse to deliver Mail to any address with a dog about, I endorse it "Dog at large, Delivery Refused" so when and if the Dog is in the house, the owner get that message on the letter if it hasn't been ripped up by the dog then, I take great pleasure in ensuring that any Giros or Cheques get ripped up by the Dog by keeping a good hold of it before it is shredded ands put the rest through, "Wasn't my fault Guv, once past the letter box, not my responsibility, there was no basket behind the letterbox"

My scariest experience was one house with no letter box at the front, only at the side door (opened ) which is into a driveway and there is a big metal gate which I opened then all of a sudden an Alisation popped its head through and made a rush for me, I slammed the gate shut but not before the Dog got his head through and I slammed the gate on his head, forcing him to back off and I slammed it shut, I was so shocked the owner didn't apologise and I just gave him the letter with a sharp "Here !" this was 19 years ago, looking back in hindsight, I should have had a rant at him, reported it to the Dog warden as I know the Management won't do it, refuse further delivery to his house, I still fume about it now.

Since then ANY open doors , I always kick the gates and make some noise before making any move, when covering new walks to make sure, I will be going back on delivery soon and with this doing your job properly thing, I will also be checking any walk logs for hazards and refuse delivery if it is about.

People seem to think Posties are fair game, we are human beings with feeling as well, I think they should be forced to come down to the sorting office to pick up mail, if they own a dangerous dog.

[Thorby Bislam]

The DOM or Lineo has a standard letter that does not mention a postie was attacked, merely felt threatened and if you raise your concerns with them they should send the customer a letter. A copy of the letter should also be placed into the walk log and a warning/hazard card fixed to the desk, or put in with redirections. A warning sticker should also be placed on the frame at the appropriate address,

All these things happen at our DO. But then, we have a DOM that does things 'by the book'.

[brothermagrew]

The DOM or Lineo has a standard letter that does not mention a postie was attacked, merely felt threatened and if you raise your concerns with them they should send the customer a letter. A copy of the letter should also be placed into the walk log and a warning/hazard card fixed to the desk, or put in with redirections. A warning sticker should also be placed on the frame at the appropriate address,

All these things happen at our DO. But then, we have a DOM that does things 'by the book'.

Sorry brother Teebs but you are misguided, the DOM or Lineo standard letter does mention the phrasing postman/postwoman was attacked/menaced.


Letter to Dog Owner DOG 1

Enter the destination address here.

Dear Sir or Madam

I am writing to let you know that on........................ our
postman/postwoman was attacked/menaced by your dog while
delivering mail to your address/area.

Dog attacks are a major cause of injury to Royal Mail staff and
so I am writing to seek your co-operation in preventing a repeat
of this unfortunate incident.

We have found from past experience that the problem can be
resolved if owners are able to prevent their dog from having
access to areas used by legitimate callers to the home/property.

I am sure you will want to help in this matter as I must advise
you that if any further incidents of this nature are allowed to take
place, I shall have no alternative other than to consider
suspending the delivery of mail to your home/premises.

Yours faithfully,

Delivery Manager.

************************************************************************************************************************************************


Letter to Dog Owner DOG 2

Enter the destination address here.

Dear Sir or Madam

On..............I wrote to advise you that unless your dog was
kept under control it would not be possible to continue delivering
mail to your premises.

Since then, I have received reports that your dog has continued
to menace the postal staff trying to deliver mail at your address
the latest incident occurring at.......................................
on..............

I must now inform you that it is no longer possible to continue
deliveries under these circumstances. Your mail will therefore
be held for collection at the
................................................... delivery office at
.............................

This arrangement will continue for a period of two weeks, during
which time you should make alternative arrangements for the
delivery or collection of your mail. Royal Mail will make a small
charge for delivering to an alternative address. If no suitable
arrangements are made by the end of the two week period, we
will have no alternative other than to treat your mail as
'undeliverable'.

I regret having to take this course of action, but it has to be
done to ensure the safety and protection of Royal Mail
employees.

Yours faithfully,

Delivery Manager.

***********************************************************************************************************************************************

Standard Letters/Dog Attack

Letter to Dog Owner DW3

Enter the destination address here.

Dear Sir or Madam

The postman/postwoman who delivers mail to your
home/shop/premises has reported that he/she has been
attacked/is in danger of being attacked/has been harassed by
your dog.

Because of the dog's behaviour, he/she believes your mail
cannot be delivered safely and in the circumstances I have
instructed him/her not to deliver mail to your address.

Your mail will therefore be held for collection at the
........................... delivery office at
................................................

This arrangement will continue for two weeks, during which time
you should make alternative arrangements for the delivery or
collection of your mail. A small charge will be made for
delivering to an alternative address.

If suitable arrangements cannot be made by the end of the two
week period, we will have no alternative other than to treat your
mail as 'undeliverable'.

Royal Mail is taking advice from............................. local
authority dog wardens on this matter and you are therefore
urged to contact.................... on tel:
....................................... if you feel that you need advice
or assistance.

I regret having to take this course of action but I am sure you
will appreciate that we must do everything we can to protect our
staff from possible injury and distress.

Yours faithfully,

Delivery Manager.

*********************************************************************************************************************************************************


Letter to Dog Owner DOG 1 and DOG 2 as far as I understand are issued by DOMs or Line Managers' to Dog Owner's where a dog attack occurs and there is no Dog Warden Scheme in place. Suffice to say Letter to Dog Owner DW3 is issued by management where there is a Dog Warden Scheme in situ.


Information sourced from The People Management Framework
Dealing with Dog Attacks -
Good Practice Guide

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Excellent thanks for that Brothermagrew - You are the man in the know on H&S matters and once again you prove how much of a valuable asset to this site you are. Many thanks mate .