Threatening letters from Royal Mail

[ljfil]

Hi - I'm posting a comment on behalf of a number of residents in London N10. As dog owners we have received a two-page letter from Royal Mail threatening legal action if we don't take care of our dogs with regard to the postmen and women. We would like to know how it was decided where to send these letters as they have been sent to houses which are home to elderly ladies and tiny dogs which pose absolutely no threat whatsoever to the postman or anyone for that matter. The letters have caused a great deal of distress.

We also wonder whether it is possible for someone to comment on whose decision it was to use such aggressive language.

We have started our own discussion on http://www.northlondondogs.co.uk/questi ... og-owners/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Any comments will be passed on to our residents.
Many thanks.
LJ

[db]

Hi - I'm posting a comment on behalf of a number of residents in London N10. As dog owners we have received a two-page letter from Royal Mail threatening legal action if we don't take care of our dogs with regard to the postmen and women. We would like to know how it was decided where to send these letters as they have been sent to houses which are home to elderly ladies and tiny dogs which pose absolutely no threat whatsoever to the postman or anyone for that matter. The letters have caused a great deal of distress.

We also wonder whether it is possible for someone to comment on whose decision it was to use such aggressive language.

We have started our own discussion on http://www.northlondondogs.co.uk/questi ... og-owners/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Any comments will be passed on to our residents.
Many thanks.
LJ

Dogs are unpredictable!

[clashcityrocker]

We don't like any dogs.
All dogs are a potential threat to our well-being.
All dogs on a duty have to be highlighted in the walk log as a potential threat.

[clashcityrocker]

http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/hudde ... 102264.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Or this is what happens.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Hi - I'm posting a comment on behalf of a number of residents in London N10. As dog owners we have received a two-page letter from Royal Mail threatening legal action if we don't take care of our dogs with regard to the postmen and women. We would like to know how it was decided where to send these letters as they have been sent to houses which are home to elderly ladies and tiny dogs which pose absolutely no threat whatsoever to the postman or anyone for that matter. The letters have caused a great deal of distress.

We also wonder whether it is possible for someone to comment on whose decision it was to use such aggressive language.

We have started our own discussion on http://www.northlondondogs.co.uk/questi ... og-owners/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Any comments will be passed on to our residents.
Many thanks.
LJ

In an official capacity we can't pass any comment because we are not an official Royal Mail site.

We have no affiliation with either Royal Mail or the Communications Workers Union (CWU), except that most of our members work for Royal Mail and/or are members of the CWU.

However Royal Mail are running a campaign to highlight the problem we have with dogs so the letter is probably a central based one and you would need to contact the local office for official comment

In a personal capacity I have been bitten 5 times now 3 Yorkshire terriers, 1 Shi Tzu and 1 West Highland Terrier, all belonging to elderly residents who had previously said that they had never bitten anyone. Yet every single one, came from a hidden direction, or slipped out when the owner opened the door. Dogs ARE territorial and all CAN be a danger.

As to the aggressiveness of the letter I can't comment as I have not seen it, but would find it hard to think that was the intention. It should be letter which is being sent to every known dog owner just asking for consideration when the postmen is due, and pointing out the legal implications. Perhaps its the legal bits which have upset them.

[clashcityrocker]

I delivered to an unfamiliar address the other day - it had a big "Beware of the Dog" sign on the gate.
I rattled the gate and when I tentatively opened it I could see the kitchen door was wide open. So I shut it and went on my merry way.

The occupant came chasing me down the street demanding to know why I had refused to deliver his mail. I explained why.
Then he looked at me like I was mental and told me he doesn't have a dog. He just put the sign up in case of burglars.

[NewPostieUK]

they have been sent to houses which are home to elderly ladies and tiny dogs which pose absolutely no threat whatsoever to the postman
LJ

The age and gender of the dog owner, and the size of the dog is irrelevant.

How on earth do you know that these dogs pose no threat?

[NWpostie]

http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/hudde ... 102264.jpg

Or this is what happens.

A picture that says a thousand words.............

There but for the grace of God go I and I have had couple of close calls !

[Mr Incognito]

As both a postman and the owner of a little Shih Tzu who goes by the name of Princess Fluffybutt (for real) I would like to think that my pooch would lick my postie to death... but you know what?... she hates him because every time he puts post through the letterbox she can't get to the door quick enough to confront this person who noisily invades her territory.

Now I have dogs on my walk that I just know would, given half a chance, disembowel me at the first opportunity. Conversely, I also have dogs that greet me as though I am their owner who has been away for months. Ultimately it does not matter whether or not I class these dogs are friend of foe - they are ALL in my walk log simply because, as they are all prone to reacting as their natural instincts dictate, NONE of them can be trusted.

[NewPostieUK]

I would like to think that my pooch would lick my postie to death

Only slightly less gruesome than being mauled to death.
I don't want to be mauled, licked, jumped up at or barked at whilst trying to earn a living.

Other than that, good post, Mr Incognito.

[fishtank]

Any comments will be passed on to our residents.
Many thanks.
LJ

http://www.royalmailgroup.com/sites/def ... Report.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[coxie]

Hi - I'm posting a comment on behalf of a number of residents in London N10. As dog owners we have received a two-page letter from Royal Mail threatening legal action if we don't take care of our dogs with regard to the postmen and women. We would like to know how it was decided where to send these letters as they have been sent to houses which are home to elderly ladies and tiny dogs which pose absolutely no threat whatsoever to the postman or anyone for that matter. The letters have caused a great deal of distress.

We also wonder whether it is possible for someone to comment on whose decision it was to use such aggressive language.

We have started our own discussion on http://www.northlondondogs.co.uk/questi ... og-owners/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Any comments will be passed on to our residents.
Many thanks.
LJ

A colleague of mine was bitten by a tiny dog on the ankle a few years ago and got a bad infection from it. So to say a tiny dog possesses no threat is a very naieve statement.

[mseven]

It's like a double ended sword. On one hand if you are in a job that involves posting letters and parcels you shouldn't be scared of dogs. On the other hand if you want postmen/women to deliver to you then you should keep your dog away from the postmen