Canada - Posties can't give dogs treats anymore

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.canada.com/Posties+give+dogs ... story.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

In a bid to reduce dog-related injuries to mail carriers, Canada Post has announced a ban on staff handing out treats to dogs.

Lillian Au, spokeswoman for Canada Post, said the policy that went into effect yesterday stemmed from consultation with animal behaviourists.

Feeding dogs trains them to charge at mail carriers, said John Bail, national director for the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, who supports the new policy, saying it might reduce the number of dog bites inflicted on carriers. "It's not often that I agree with Canada Post, but they've got it right on this one."

Asked whether postal workers should instead be trained to recognize aggressive dog behaviour, Bail said that kind of training has happened in the past. "But over time we've learned that we really can't recognize the difference between friendly and aggressive dogs."

Last year, Canadian mail carriers had 554 negative encounters with dogs, ranging from being threatened to suffering injuries that required hospitalization. How many of those interactions included bites was not available. Ernie Swanson, spokesman for the U.S. Postal Service, which discourages dog-feeding, said Canada Post's policy is a good move, although U.S. carriers are not formally prohibited from carrying dog treats. Between 2,600 and 2,700 U.S. carriers are bitten every year.

Victoria animal control officer Ian Fraser said it's important that dogs have a positive experience with visitors, whether they're postal workers, meter readers or children.

"I promote anything that creates safety, but I would still like to see positive rewards to dogs for good behaviour," Fraser said.

[Pat Ostman]

I agree anyway.

Hate it when regular posties give dogs treats on their round and me as a reserve gets jumped on when I cover days off etc.

[DGP1]

I agree anyway.

Hate it when regular posties give dogs treats on their round and me as a reserve gets jumped on when I cover days off etc.

Same here, it usually ends with me telling the regular what I think of them