Train posties about the danger of dogs

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree ... rkers-dogs" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



There's a cliche about postal workers. It is a cartoon image of us being chased up the garden path by a ferocious dog, with the seat being ripped out of our pants. Unfortunately, like all cliches, the image has its basis in reality. Postal workers are often the victims of savage dog attacks.

There are a number of bad-natured dogs on my round. One of them, Molly, waits at the door for me as I come up the road. As I push the letters through the letter box she snaps at them violently. After this she belts round to the front, scrabbling the curtains away as she hurls herself at the window, snarling and barking ferociously, pawing wildly to get at me, and leaving streaks of saliva and paw-marks on the glass. She's a full-sized dalmatian, and is big enough and angry enough at this moment to rip my throat out.

Later on, when I see her at the pub with her owner, she comes up to me and nuzzles my hand, rubbing her nose against my knuckles in the hope of getting me to stroke her ear. You may wonder why this is: why would a soppy mutt like Molly turn into a ravening beast when she sees a postman?The answer is straightforward: as a postman, I am invading her territory. I stick something through the letter box. In her mind I am breaking into her house. She is only doing what she is supposed to do.

Dog attacks on postal workers have been on the increase. In Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, between 2007 and 2008, there were 144 dog attacks – a 12.5% increase over the previous year – while in Hull, between April and September, there were 15 attacks. Being mauled by a dog is no fun, and many postal workers have been severely injured and traumatised by the experience.

Meanwhile, following the death of four-year-old John-Paul Massey at his home last Sunday, there have been renewed calls for an amendment to the Dangerous Dogs Act to protect workers who are attacked by animals on private property. You might think that as a postie I would welcome such a law. Both the Royal Mail and the CWU are in agreement on this issue: both want to see the law enacted. But the truth is that most attacks are easily avoidable.

The Royal Mail rules are clear: if a dog is loose in the garden you have the right not to deliver the mail. And if you look at the figures more carefully you might notice one obvious fact: dog attacks on postal workers have been on the increase since the pay and modernisation agreement of 2007 brought significant numbers of part-time and casual workers into the Royal Mail.

The old fashioned mentoring system has been abandoned. New staff are being chucked out on to the street without any training, given a bag of mail and told to go and deliver it. Postal workers don't need new laws, they just need training and more time to get to know their rounds properly.

[Thunderthighs]

How about training the Dog owners? I delivered the mail - into an outside box, as we know there's a dog there - walked up the path to the next address, and the dog owner let the dog out!
I've heard of Cat Burglars, but a dog that opens the door itself? I don't think so...

I've got 3 dogs. They go nuts for Posties, delivery men, cyclists, BUT we don't let them out, able to chase/attack these people.
TRAIN THE OWNERS!!!

[music4essex]

I got bit by a dog 3 yrs ago which is still ongoing with solicitors (union Ones) the dog was let out and run down the road and bit me on the leg, even though the police tried to prosecute in the end the Police never turned up for the last trial and consequently the owners got let off this has caused me much distress as the dog still barks at me when i deliver the letters even though it is a stand alone post box and the dog is the otherside of garden trellis, but pokes it head thru

I know have just read the physcology report that I attended and you would think the consultant was going to pay me out , reckons I have made a almost full recovery and if I get bitten again it would cause great distress, you wonder what planet these people are on. I even got a part disability out of it from DWP

You can never be trained enough as it is all about the owners

Essex mum

[Stormproof]

My mate got bitten the other day, he was on a rural duty, he's never seen the dog before and don't know who it belongs to as it was running loose. Ripped a big chunk out of the top of his arm, he phoned the office and first thing managers ask is 'can you complete' rather than asking if hes ok

[Puppetmaster]

Its not Postmen who need training! more stupid owners and families.We all have bad tempered dogs on our rounds and know where they are,and Dog warning cards as well for reserves doing these rounds.

I beleive the biggest danger is often from Kids who open front doors and let these animals out, so you may noteven have proirknowledge these animals are their,also on
soe bad estates that were designed in the 70's the back gardens are at the front of the property,and often in summer these people have their front/back door open .Their nay be no dog out side ,it could be inside ,and the moment it hears you its out.

The law needs reveiwing urgently.I actual know a postie who sustained a serious attack by a dog due to kids opening the front door,he was lucky he escaped with his life.