Protection from DOG ATTACKS?

[brothermagrew]

I got bit on the arm by a rhodesian ridgeback about a month ago - it was going for my face but I put my arm up out of instinct. It didn't draw blood ( I had my shirt, fleece and jacket on) but I got some sort of crush injury to my tricep and the muscle went hard for about a fortnight.

The owner got all apologetic and gave it the " he's never done that before" routine. The guy who was cleaning next door's windows saw it all and came over telling me and the owner that we were lucky it didn't my face as my nose would be on the floor...

Got back to the office and the OM couldn't care less. Asked to put in the accident book and he just shrugged and said "come and see me tomorrow or something and I'll log it".

He never did.

Then more the fool you my friend as you should have insisted that it was logged or entered in the accident at workbook as is your right by the Office Manager. CWU Safety Reps have for years been trying to get the message across to their fellow workmates that all accidents of whatever nature should be duly recorded.

[POSTMAN]

I got bit on the arm by a rhodesian ridgeback about a month ago - it was going for my face but I put my arm up out of instinct. It didn't draw blood ( I had my shirt, fleece and jacket on) but I got some sort of crush injury to my tricep and the muscle went hard for about a fortnight.

The owner got all apologetic and gave it the " he's never done that before" routine. The guy who was cleaning next door's windows saw it all and came over telling me and the owner that we were lucky it didn't my face as my nose would be on the floor...

Got back to the office and the OM couldn't care less. Asked to put in the accident book and he just shrugged and said "come and see me tomorrow or something and I'll log it".

He never did.

Then more the fool you my friend as you should have insisted that it was logged or entered in the accident at workbook as is your right by the Office Manager. CWU Safety Reps have for years been trying to get the message across to their fellow workmates that all accidents of whatever nature should be duly recorded.

The fact is it HAS to be reported down within 24hrs or else RM get a fine!!!
Your OM is a w****r!! And to be fair bang out of order! And has just broken the law!
Seems to me we have to have one of our limbs hanging off to be taken seriously now a days.

[DGP1]

I got bit on the arm by a rhodesian ridgeback about a month ago - it was going for my face but I put my arm up out of instinct. It didn't draw blood ( I had my shirt, fleece and jacket on) but I got some sort of crush injury to my tricep and the muscle went hard for about a fortnight.

The owner got all apologetic and gave it the " he's never done that before" routine. The guy who was cleaning next door's windows saw it all and came over telling me and the owner that we were lucky it didn't my face as my nose would be on the floor...

Got back to the office and the OM couldn't care less. Asked to put in the accident book and he just shrugged and said "come and see me tomorrow or something and I'll log it".

He never did.

Then more the fool you my friend as you should have insisted that it was logged or entered in the accident at workbook as is your right by the Office Manager. CWU Safety Reps have for years been trying to get the message across to their fellow workmates that all accidents of whatever nature should be duly recorded.

The fact is it HAS to be reported down within 24hrs or else RM get a fine!!!
Your OM is a w****r!! And to be fair bang out of order! And has just broken the law!
Seems to me we have to have one of our limbs hanging off to be taken seriously now a days.

The last time I reported a dog bite I was given about 10 sheets to fill in (to the dog warden, to the council, to the court service etc.) when all I wanted was it to be recorded and a letter sent to the owner warning about further behaviour (I wasn't badly hurt (small scratch on my finger) and the woman was very apologetic).

[brothermagrew]

I got bit on the arm by a rhodesian ridgeback about a month ago - it was going for my face but I put my arm up out of instinct. It didn't draw blood ( I had my shirt, fleece and jacket on) but I got some sort of crush injury to my tricep and the muscle went hard for about a fortnight.

The owner got all apologetic and gave it the " he's never done that before" routine. The guy who was cleaning next door's windows saw it all and came over telling me and the owner that we were lucky it didn't my face as my nose would be on the floor...

Got back to the office and the OM couldn't care less. Asked to put in the accident book and he just shrugged and said "come and see me tomorrow or something and I'll log it".

He never did.

Then more the fool you my friend as you should have insisted that it was logged or entered in the accident at workbook as is your right by the Office Manager. CWU Safety Reps have for years been trying to get the message across to their fellow workmates that all accidents of whatever nature should be duly recorded.

The fact is it HAS to be reported down within 24hrs or else RM get a fine!!!
Your OM is a w****r!! And to be fair bang out of order! And has just broken the law!
Seems to me we have to have one of our limbs hanging off to be taken seriously now a days.

The last time I reported a dog bite I was given about 10 sheets to fill in (to the dog warden, to the council, to the court service etc.) when all I wanted was it to be recorded and a letter sent to the owner warning about further behaviour (I wasn't badly hurt (small scratch on my finger) and the woman was very apologetic).

IMHO that's exactly what the Office Manager should have done - sent out either a DOG1 or DOG2 letter to the owner of the said dog. Next time insist that your manager lets you read through the Dealing with Dog Attacks - Good Practice Guide.

1. POLICY TITLE
ROYA MAIL POLICY ON DEALING WITH DOG ATTACKS

2. POLICY STATEMENT
Royal Mail has a legal commitment to deliver to all addresses. To effect thiscommitment 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.

3. POLICY PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES
This policy is designed to reduce, and ultimately eliminate, attacks by dogs on Royal Mail staff by instituting preventative measures. All reported incidents involving dogs, whether staff are injured or not, will be fully investigated by the Line Manager. (Note the wording - fully investigated by the Line Manager).
Where dog attacks do occur, the policy defines what action Line Managers should take against dog owners.

The full Dealing with Dog Attacks - Good Practice Guide consists of 21 or more A4 pages. As a CWU Unit/Workplace health and safety rep I would urge all and sundry to make a request from their respective Line Managers to have the chance to view this for themselves - infact insist as is your right or insist that at weekly WTLL sessions he goes through this policy page by page with his or her workforce.

The Guide is broken down into sections for quick and easy reference:

Section 1. Includes Royal Mail's Policy on Dealing with Dog Attacks.
Section 2. Contains general information for Line Managers.
Section 3. Includes guidance on Dog Warden Schemes.
Section 4. Contains example letters, forms etc., to be used where no Dog Warden Scheme exists (as what happens in my DO).
Section 5. Appendices.

[Himaggen]

I'm just having a look over information contained within "The Good Practice Guide to Dealing with Dog Attacks" now.

Could you tell me if this means what I think it means?

When an attack results in more than 7 days absence from work there is a Compensation Scheme available to employees.

[seeker019]

Sure, compensation is payable from you after you've given the dog owner a good smack in the mouth, then RM & the Police suddenly take notice

[fmjomega]

See this may sound utterly stupid but trust me it worked.

If faced with a dog that is being aggressive your first thing to remember is DO NOT MAKE EYE CONTACT, get round this by using your peripheral vision to keep an eye on him. Then if the dog does make a lunge at yourself kick the dog in the chest with your toe it creates a panic sensation in the dog as it affects their heart, thirdly and this is only if the dog has a hold of you return the favour. The power from a dog bite is produced by its lower jaw if the dog has a hold of your arm your other usually drops mail and starts to punch in the head which causes the dog to keep a tighter grip(prey animals usually struggle natural instinct says struggle=tighten grip) so dont waste your energy grab the lower jaw with your available hand and push downward if you can put your thumb into dogs mouth and push it into to bottom of its jaw if you have achieved this you now have control of the dog. If you curl your fingers round the side of its jaw pushing jaw bone down and thumb in mouth you can do what you wish with it. Chavs hate this as you can now throw their prize staffordshire bull terrier into a neighbours garden or a busy A road, the other ones is for the slightly stronger ones lift the dog by its jaw and open a wheelie bin(preferably empty) and drop it in then push the said wheelie bin into the road. You always get one intelligent lorry driver who clips the bin.

Before anyone says anything I have 2 dogs myself BUT these are well trained dogs and have been socialised and are not aggressive unless I am as they know their place, I got this advice above from a dog handler when his 3 german shepherds came to greet me on my first day at work and i shat myslef, they didnt growl snarl lunge jump up, they sat there in his garden and when he asked why I was stood perfectly still in stodgy puddle of poo I told him about dog attacks and what I had heard, he passed on this info and it has worked about 8 times so far. Only drawback to it is if you come across any big dogs as the bin trick is difficult and the throwing over fence is hard to so knock on the door and hand the owners dog back but just as you do twist your wrist this dislocates the jaw bone for a second and the dog is then more worried about putting it back into place than biting you.

But if you do not fancy any of the above look for a citronella dog training spray you can get pet coprrectors(these emit a hiss as opposed to sonic) from www.hyperdrug.co.uk they use these to train dogs the ones on this site are for discouraging unwanted behaviour for owners but they also scare the bejesus out of dogs for a second or to.

If you own a dog you can also use this site for anything doggy as it is cheap like the budgie sorry if I have broken any rules of the forums for advertising this site but it will save us posties who own a dog alot of wonga.

[Himaggen]

This may be a much simpler solution and is the approved method for 'staffies'. Stick your thumb up its back entrance and the grip will release immediately.

Just one note of caution, try to see if the dog has a collar, if so make sure it's not engraved with ELTON, otherwise you may need a plan B.

[saru]

This may be a much simpler solution and is the approved method for 'staffies'. Stick your thumb up its back entrance and the grip will release immediately.

Just one note of caution, try to see if the dog has a collar, if so make sure it's not engraved with ELTON, otherwise you may need a plan B.

[Albethere]

BUT.....getting hold of its jaw?......AND......fingers in the dogs mouth? Doesn't this all get a bit bloody?

I have read on the internet that self defense using Pepper Spray can dis-orientate a dog giving you chance to make a quick escape, BUT....and here's the catch.....it is ILLEGAL to use in this country!

Keep the ideas coming good buddies.

[pinstripe]

Why not take a manager out on your round with you. (Make sure he goes to the toilet before he leaves, especially after all the coffee he's drunk) When the dog attacks, chuck the manager to the dog while you make your escape. Obviously there will be no provoking the dog. Just a suggestion.

[brothermagrew]

I'm just having a look over information contained within "The Good Practice Guide to Dealing with Dog Attacks" now.

Could you tell me if this means what I think it means?

When an attack results in more than 7 days absence from work there is a Compensation Scheme available to employees.

DOG ATTACK COMPENSATION SCHEME:
The scheme is intended to cushion employees who are off sick as a result of a dog attack against the effect of reduced earnings during sick leave. The form may be used for any dog attack provided that:-

1. The attack was reported at the time it occurred and injury was recorded in the Accident Book in normal course (now superceded by the ERICA reporting system) the term 'injury' may also cover attacks which cause mental stress without resulting in physical injury.

2. The employee is absent from duty as a direct result of the dog attack.

3. The absence is for more than one week and any period in excess of this first week is covered by a doctor's note or hospital certificate.

4. The employee has lost overtime and premium payments by being absent due to the attack.

Any eligible claims must be made on this form and line managers are asked to forward the completed and signed forms to the Personal Services Centre. The compensation paid will be the difference between full rate sick pay and the individual's average weekly earnings over the previous 13 weeks, excluding Christmas/Summer pressure and annual leave. Average earnings are calculated as total overtime/premium payments during the period, divided by 13 (or 13 minus any leave during the period). Compensation will be paid for as long as the condition lasts, up to a maximum of 13 weeks and will be paid as a temporary addition to pay at the individual's normal pay intervals.

A copy of the "Dog Attack Compensation Claims Form" is found at Section 5 of the Good Practice Guide on Dealing with Dog Attacks.

[Thorby Bislam]

fmjomega: I stopped reading when I got to the part where you said

put you hand in the dogs mouth

These Stafford- type dogs are bred to have real strong jaws.

[Lounge Lizard]

See this may sound utterly stupid but trust me it worked.

If faced with a dog that is being aggressive your first thing to remember is DO NOT MAKE EYE CONTACT, get round this by using your peripheral vision to keep an eye on him. Then if the dog does make a lunge at yourself kick the dog in the chest with your toe it creates a panic sensation in the dog as it affects their heart, thirdly and this is only if the dog has a hold of you return the favour. The power from a dog bite is produced by its lower jaw if the dog has a hold of your arm your other usually drops mail and starts to punch in the head which causes the dog to keep a tighter grip(prey animals usually struggle natural instinct says struggle=tighten grip) so dont waste your energy grab the lower jaw with your available hand and push downward if you can put your thumb into dogs mouth and push it into to bottom of its jaw if you have achieved this you now have control of the dog. If you curl your fingers round the side of its jaw pushing jaw bone down and thumb in mouth you can do what you wish with it. Chavs hate this as you can now throw their prize staffordshire bull terrier into a neighbours garden or a busy A road, the other ones is for the slightly stronger ones lift the dog by its jaw and open a wheelie bin(preferably empty) and drop it in then push the said wheelie bin into the road. You always get one intelligent lorry driver who clips the bin.

Before anyone says anything I have 2 dogs myself BUT these are well trained dogs and have been socialised and are not aggressive unless I am as they know their place, I got this advice above from a dog handler when his 3 german shepherds came to greet me on my first day at work and i shat myslef, they didnt growl snarl lunge jump up, they sat there in his garden and when he asked why I was stood perfectly still in stodgy puddle of poo I told him about dog attacks and what I had heard, he passed on this info and it has worked about 8 times so far. Only drawback to it is if you come across any big dogs as the bin trick is difficult and the throwing over fence is hard to so knock on the door and hand the owners dog back but just as you do twist your wrist this dislocates the jaw bone for a second and the dog is then more worried about putting it back into place than biting you.

But if you do not fancy any of the above look for a citronella dog training spray you can get pet coprrectors(these emit a hiss as opposed to sonic) from www.hyperdrug.co.uk they use these to train dogs the ones on this site are for discouraging unwanted behaviour for owners but they also scare the bejesus out of dogs for a second or to.

If you own a dog you can also use this site for anything doggy as it is cheap like the budgie sorry if I have broken any rules of the forums for advertising this site but it will save us posties who own a dog alot of wonga.

I can't agree with "do not make eye contact". Dogs have the sense to know who is and who isn't afraid of them, and avoiding eye contact indicates that you are frightened by them. They can also sense whether or not you are a threat to them. I always act slowly and calmly and, having gained their confidence, have safely delivered packets and recorded deliveroes to properties other postmen won't enter, often to the surprise of the dog owner who doubts the effectiveness of their guard dog. There are though other premises where I judge the dog to be a danger to me and don't enter.

[fmjomega]

By not giving eye contact you are showing them that you are not bothered by them and that you are more dominant, eye contact to a dog is a threat, eyes wide in a dogs eye is a threat so smiling for a human with eyes wide and teeth showing is in a dogs eyes a threat as opposed to our "daggers" stare is actually a friendly look for a dog. Often dogs "grin" they partially show teeth and squint their eyes, this is a friendly gesture, as opposed to top lip back and eyes wide this is a threat. If you look above them you show dominance as opposed to looking at the floor you are being "submissive" so therefore you are not showing them that you are afraid at all. Want proof watch an alpha female in a wolf pack she will not look at another dog in the pack but whilst not looking at them she will raise her head and look above them but if the dog is the alpha male she will bow her head and lower her shoulders by doing this she is showing she is submissive to him AND only him. Another way of showing you are submissive is turning your side to a dog this is showing that you will not defend your "softer" spots

The strentgh of a dogs jaw does not matter(Staffordshire bull terriers were bred for fighting with bulls or other dogs, whether it be a staffie, rhodesian ridgeback or a cocker spaniel if they cannot close their jaw it is deemed useless) if you have your thumb in the bottom of it and your palm on the underside of its mouth you have control, if you have a dog at home try it and see how the dog reacts DO NOT force it to the ground but see that the dog has no control over its jaw and that you have complete control over the dog.

BUT MOST OF ALL TRY NEVER TO RUN, this triggers the chase instinct/mechanism in all dogs, YOU WILL BE PERCIEVED AS A PREY ITEM.

But as you say there are those premises you do not enter, surely you have proved by looking at them you have shown them you are not a threat, and that you have tried to build their trust so surely by looking at them directly and cooing to them and talking these should back down aswell I mean you have after all made owners doubt the abilities of their "guard" dog.