RM apologises after wrongly accusing dog of biting postie

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Royal Mail apologises after wrongly accusing dog of biting postman http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/Royal ... story.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

ROYAL Mail has been forced to apologise to a disabled dog-owner after accusing one of his pets of biting a postman.

Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator Peter Jordan said he was shocked to receive a letter saying his hound had attacked a postman as he tried to deliver to homes in The Circle, Sinfin.

In the letter, it said deliveries to his house had been suspended for three months and that he must collect his own post from the city's Midland Road sorting office.

But, after the Derby Telegraph contacted Royal Mail on his behalf, Mr Jordan, 63, was visited by a representative from Royal Mail who apologised and told him the letter had been sent in error.

Mr Jordan, who is registered disabled and is facing a fourth operation on his spine after having four tumours removed from his body, said: "I couldn't believe what I was reading when I opened the letter from Royal Mail, which said one of my dogs had bitten a postman.

"I was very disappointed in what I saw as an arrogant letter. I have three dogs that have never attacked anyone before and there I was being told that one of them had bitten a postman on the leg.

"I telephoned them to ask which of my dogs it was so I could chastise it and they said they didn't know.

"The person on the phone said to me 'describe your dogs and I'll tell you which one it was'.

"That's madness, surely if they were writing to me to tell me they are not delivering to me for three months, they could have told me which of my dogs is supposed to have bitten the postman?"

Mr Jordan, who had his own boat repair company for 35 years, said neighbours even started a petition demanding an apology from Royal Mail and calling on them to back down.

After being contacted by the Telegraph, Royal Mail looked into the matter and admitted the letter was sent in error.

Mr Jordan said: "We live in a quiet little circle here in Sinfin, with lots of dogs living here who play together supervised by all of us owners.

"No one could believe that any of my three would have bitten a postman or anyone.

"I just can't understand why Royal Mail were initially so defiant and abrupt in their letter to me, without being able to tell me which of the dogs was supposed to have attacked the postman.

"However, they have been to see me and apologised profusely for what they told me was a human error and I am happy to accept that apology."

Val Bodden, a Royal Mail spokesperson, said: "A Royal Mail manager has been to see Mr Jordan to discuss the incident and to apologise that, as a result of human error on our part, the correct procedure was not followed on this occasion.

"We apologise if Mr Jordan was upset by the letter he received and would like to assure him that it was not our intention to cause any distress. We are, of course, continuing to deliver all mail to his address."

[TeeferTiger]

What's the point in chastising the dog long after the event?! Like the dog's going to understand why you're telling it off! Numpty.

[fishtank]

So....
Where's the rest of the story?
Did anybody get bitten?,was it a different dog at a different address?
How does one of these letters get sent out in error?
Or did RM just s**t themselves because of the bad publicity?
Lazy journalism.

[Straight4ward]

So there you have it folks.

Next time you get bitten, be sure that you can pick the mutt out in an identity parade.

Make a good photofit picture and, preferably, when you submit your evidence include DNA (dog's nuts attached). This should prevent the culprit being able to avoid punishment.

[Postman Plodd]

Or leave a size 10 DM print on its arse.

[clashcityrocker]

Or leave a size 10 DM print on its arse.

But then I would have to carry around a pair of shoes 2 sizes too small.

[glenfiddich]

Or leave a size 10 DM print on its arse.

But then I would have to carry around a pair of shoes 2 sizes too small.

and a Delivery Manager

[Postman Plodd]

Or leave a size 10 DM print on its arse.

But then I would have to carry around a pair of shoes 2 sizes too small.

and a Delivery Manager

Even i think its a bit harsh leaving a Delivery Manager's arse print on a dog.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Or leave a size 10 DM print on its arse.

But then I would have to carry around a pair of shoes 2 sizes too small.

and a Delivery Manager

Even i think its a bit harsh leaving a Delivery Manager's arse print on a dog.

Also a bit far fetched - I mean getting them moving off their office chair for a start.

[Postman Plodd]

I think the only course of action is to slip the offending dog onto the chair before the DM's arrival at the DO

[brothermagrew]

Since the Control of Dogs in Royal Mail now falls under the WRAP (Walk Risk Assessment Platform) process. Where a dog bite is reported to a manager the manager must then follow the Control of Dog Attack Risks Standard and uses the Dog Risk Assessment Control Matrix (Appendix 1) and where appropriate write to the owner using Royal Mail's standard advisory letter. Do not forward with the USO suspension letters. The manager phones the Local Dog Warden (where applicable) and where injury has occured the Police contact. They will both follow the agreed procedure. (Please record the Police Incident Number).

Manager must then send the completed Dog Attack Report Form to the Sector Point of Contact and Police Dog Attack Report Form to Police for action (note both the DARF and the PDAR should have been completed by the employee who has been either bitten by a dog or had an (averted attack) Non Dog Bite.

Manager ensures the information is collated on a Unit Info Report using the standard spreadsheet provided, they will monitor the information for local trends and take appropriate action if any are identified. Monthly they forward the document to the Sector Point of Contact.

The Sector Point of Contact will collate the information on a Sector Info Report using the standard spreadsheet provided, they will monitor the information for Sector trends and advise the Collection & Delivery Sector Manager so that they can take appropriate action. Monthly they will forward the document to the Collections & Delivery Sector Managers.
(This process is in place to possibly avoid suspension by talking to our customers first).

The Sector Point of Contact will forward the report, at the end of each period, to the Police.

Police will agree next steps which may involve sending a letter to the Dog Owner and return spreadsheet with their actions populated.



Back to the original story the manager should not have suspended the mail but have sent out the advisory dog letter instead.

[brothermagrew]

So there you have it folks.

Next time you get bitten, be sure that you can pick the mutt out in an identity parade.

Make a good photofit picture and, preferably, when you submit your evidence include DNA (dog's nuts attached). This should prevent the culprit being able to avoid punishment.

Parts of the information that an employee must provide on the Royal Mail Service Delivery - Dog Attack Report Form & on the Royal Mail Service Delivery - Police Dog Attack Report Form are one and the same namely:

Time & Date of Attack
Where did the attack take place
Was this on public or private land or if unsure tick unsure box
Describe the dog or dogs that attacked you
How many dogs
Breed
Colour
Size
Was the dog owner present at the time of the attack
Name and address of dog owner (if known)
If there were any witnesses to the attack, please provide names, addresses and telephone numbers
Brief description of the attack