Postmen to be given 'doggy mace'for protection

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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Postmen are to be equipped with cans of "doggy mace" by their employers to protect them from dangerous dogs on their mail rounds.

Royal Mail are issuing all of their delivery staff in Edinburgh a can of "Bite Back" - a peppermint spray that disorientates dogs and claims to stop their impulse to attack.

Despite being dubbed "doggy mace" by the postmen, the spray does not harm dogs but stuns them for up to 20 minutes.
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The hope is that it will replace the use of handheld pepper-based sprays, which have been known to cause heart attacks in dogs.

The decision to issue the spray has come as figures show that the number of attacks on delivery men and women in the Lothians has risen.

A spokesman for Royal Mail explained: "Unfortunately, dog attacks are a hazard faced by our employees and we have recorded around 300 attacks in Scotland in the last 12 months."

Last summer, the rise in the number of dog attacks across the east of Scotland prompted Royal Mail to issue a warning that legal action would be taken against irresponsible dog owners, as well as a complete ban on delivering to certain houses.

Under this new scheme, postal workers will be able to use the spray against a threatening dog and temporarily stun them, while being able to make a safe get-away.

Scottish Power have also signed up to the scheme to protect their metering staff.

They've also introduced ultra-sonic "dog-dazers", that emit a high-pitched sound only audible to animals.

Tom Gatherer, deputy chief superintendent with SSPCA, said: "The SSPCA is not opposed to such sprays as long as it's not harmful to the welfare of the animals."

[Thunderthighs]

On a rural I sometimes do, an Alsatian breeder has a sign, "My dogs get to this gate in 3 seconds. If you can run faster, come in," or something like that.
Luckily there's an outside box, with views of at least 3 - 4 big dogs in cages, going nuts!
Out of the 4 aggressive dog attacks I have suffered in last 10 months - no bites, but this is probably due to 20yrs of former Martial Arts training than luck, - ALL Attacks have been almost too fast to be able to reasonably defend against, just a survival instinct mode kicks in. Doc Holiday couldn't have drawn his mace fast enough!!! You've got a pouch, mail in your hands, steep and greasy steps, gates, pot plants Groundforce would proud of and at least one owner shouting to me, "Don't hurt him! Your being too aggressive" as razor sharp teeth were snapping/gnashing around my ankles...
Human sprinters are covering 10mt + in a second, so our "furry friends" are probably quicker. My 3 mutts, 2 are half-lurcher/greyhound, are amazingly quick.
Ok, if you hear/see a dog, then you'll have a fighting chance, but my first attack was from a dog that was allegedly chained in a rear garden, but broke the chain. A regular occurrance I later found out. The last 2 have both been when owners opened their front doors either before or after the delivery. So, there was no risk/threat with no sight/sound of a dog, until the customers initiated it. Both knew their dogs were aggressive, but neither kept them indoors/controlled.
The sprays, mace, high pitched alarm/defenders are just "lip service" being paid to a serious problem. ( Allegedly, one of our managers went to a house to discuss
reports of their aggressive dog, and when the door was opened it attacked them...)
"ONCE BITTEN, TWICE SHY." The old folks knew much more than us.

[stokes11eg]

We've had bite-back at our office for a good couple of years now,and it does work. I never spray it directly at
an animal, but a few feet away, and always pointing down, so the dog does not feel threatened--but it does work, and the dogs slink away. I have tried this on myself, as I am an animal lover, and it really is quite kind.
one can normally lasts a full year, but watch you don't accidentally spray some in your pockets, as the smell lingers!

[andy2007]

Are you allowed to carry a spare?
If not, what do you do if it runs out?

[stokes11eg]

Raly, one can goes a long way--our managers have them ,and you just request another as and when. I have had two cans in about three years.and even then, they probably would have lasted longer if i didn't 'squirt' accidentally' in my pockets, When I go to the areas I know i have problems with, I always have the top of, and have it in my pocket ready to draw, just like a six gun! and the good thing is, usually, after a period of time,if you use it towards the same dog, they stop bothering you. again, be careful not to point directly at animals.

[andy2007]

So how do you know that it's likley to run out. Do you just go off the weight?
Or worse still: do you just wait until it doesn't work one day?

I'm not trying to be funny. I'm just curious.

[stokes11eg]

Best just to give it a little shake, and you can hear how much is left.

[andy2007]

Thanks.

[norfolk n chance]

i have a tin, i have had to use it once and it works well,
the dog just had a fit of sneezing giving me the time to walk away.