Posties in constant fear of dog attacks

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/n ... g_attacks/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Dogs are among the biggest fears for posties across the district, a survey has found.

Six thousand postal workers get attacked each year, according to the Communication Workers Union.

Half of all postal workers are frequently growled at, 39 per cent have been the subject of teeth baring and 54 per cent regularly have to endure aggressive barking.

A quarter of postmen have been bitten by a dog on their post round, while 23 per cent have had their clothes damaged when trying to get away from a dog.

Paul Clays, CWU spokesman for West Yorkshire, said: “This is a serious problem as postal workers are attacked every day.

“We have had cases in West Yorkshire where postal workers have been put in hospital for months on end.”

Dangerous dogs do not necessarily need to be the popularly feared pit bull terriers as smaller dogs can be just as vicious, according to Mr Clays.

He said: “There are so many cases of dog attacks on postal workers but so little is done.

“We feel that dangerous dogs such as Pit Bulls should be registered, neutered, micro-chipped, and insured as well as all the other legal requirements.

“Any dogs which bite or attack should be put down, in our opinion.”

The average postal worker fears at least five dogs on their usual round every day, according to the research.

And more than a third of postmen have tried to get clever in a bid to ensure their safety on the round by offering the dog biscuits, bones and chews.

Mike Pickard, head of home insurance at Esure which carried out the survey, said: “Dog owners should always ensure their pet is under control and is in no position to harm either a postman or a passer-by.”

Pit Bull Terriers were voted Britain’s most fearsome dogs and are most likely to strike fear into the hearts of postal workers more than any other breed.

[johnsouthwales]

Any dogs which bite or attack should be put down, in our opinion

[johnsouthwales]

[johnsouthwales]

[johnsouthwales]

[shadow]

I find the smaller ones are the worst as they don't get the training the bigger dogs get. The owners think it's funny cause the yorky is trying to maul the postie. Aw ain't he cute. No he's fecking not. The only time I would say that these little muts are cute is when they have a bullet in their heads. One bit my left leg but no that wasn't enough the little mut sank it's teeth into my right leg.

[Stormproof]

sorry I could'nt resist

[NWpostie]

The law needs to be updated as in Scotland , where the owner is responsible and open to prosecution regardless whether it happened on Public or Private land, I also think the dog should be put down and the owner billed, a ban on deliveries to the address forthwith.

[brothermagrew]

Least we forget Royal Mail POLICY STATEMENT

Royal Mail has a legal commitment to deliver to all addresses. To effect this commitment our staff travel along virtually every thoroughfare daily and enter countless private premises. In doing so, they face the hazards present, which include the threat or actuality of attack by dogs. Royal Mail also has a duty under health and safety law to reduce risks and prevent injury to their employees at work. This policy details Royal Mail's actions to minimise the threat from dogs encountered by Royal Mail staff.

[johnsouthwales]

ffs death by chuihaha. werar some boots that they cant bite into then. could swear you were being ravaged by a nepalese tiger.

animals are territorial. if anyone is nervpous, they pick up on this. i dont see paper boys complaining about barking dogs.
and i am not joking. bites and scratches are not funny. jack russels for instance normally are placid, but they do go funny on the street. thery see feet as a threat. cats go for feet. its the same instinct animals have.

they don't look at the whole picture, they just see an object that is a little too close for them and just nip. barking dogs are are intimidating buts that's all they do. bark is worse than their bite. they will get riled up if someone takes the p1ss back, but animals do simmer down when spoken to in a cool manner.

it's no joke when a large dog mauls, everybody knows that. but nobody can discriminate and tar all dogs and animals with the same brush. address the problem properly and sensibly.

the other day it was seagulls that were under the cosh.. nobody can touch seagulls cos they are under royal protection.

i'd love to see mp's etc chipped and tagged. animals are free as us humans. maybe it be somesort of big brother society act to tag everything that moves.

when someone in their opinion calls for ALL dogs to be tagged. maybe someone should tie him up and treat him like an animal, see if he likes it.

people like that would probably secretly like to see all dogs and animals destroyed. open up a belsen camp for animals tut

[johnsouthwales]

don't walk near a dog

[Pat Ostman]

[NWpostie]

If you saw that in your path, it can screw up your day and it may be a good idea to cancel all future plans.

[johnsouthwales]

LOL @ above

[KyzaSoze]

Been bit once by an Alsation n nearly clawed to death by a cat on the inside of the letter-box, lucky it was my fingers that got it.. fcukin cat was worse than the Alsation. Was chased out of a property on O.T.once by 2 dogs had to run half way down womans drive knowing a wasn't getting out of her property a then throw myself over a wall and into next doors garden.. woman appears over the wall n says ' oh the dogs won't touch you ' (hmmm, these 2 would've chewed me to pieces) to which i replied - ' How, are the Vegetarians?? ' she wasn't happy !! obviously didn't like quick witted Posties.