Royal mail Postmen/women and dog attacks

jackiegibbo

Hi im a postie and ive just heard on radio 2 about a postman in cambridge being attacked by 2 rottweilers during his delivery.Can anyone offer me advice on dealing with dogs? I go round with a load of dog biscuits in my pocket and most of the dogs are fine with me if they come out to say hello but my dog rio is getting a bit annoyed because im sharing his biscuits with all these other dogs

geri1965_2

How does he know?

Skint_Catt

Because the box is empty :rotfl:

Not sure if you can get something that emits a sonic screech which dogs can't stand?

Hope the chap in the news gets better soon, what a terrible start to Christmas for him.

clutterydrawer

Didn't you have training in this when you joined? I know I did, although don't know when they brought it in.

Basically, don't go near any dog, ever. If one is in a garden, don't go in; if one is loose on the street, keep well away. Back away from it, talk to it calmly, never run. If it bites you and won't let go, try tapping it sharply on the nose - if you're not panicking of course, which I always was. I found screaming shrilly enough used to frighten them into letting go.

Also never underestimate them, even the little ones. I got my worst bite walking PAST a garden, the dog saw me, ran up and leapt over a tall fence and fastened onto me.

good luck

Stephb1986_2

I collect people's ironing thats different from delivering post but one time i went to a customers house he opened the door and he had a very large bullmastiff next to him (me being a dog lover) asked if the dog bites he said no it was as soft as anything i put my hand near the dog to stroke it and it bit me (this was only last year and im 22) he couldn't believe the dog had bit me and totally denied it! it drew blood!!!

Needless to say we haven't collected their ironing since!

Steph xxx

breezerockz

what an awful thing to happen, attacked whilst doing your job,
when my dog was a puppy she met all uniformed people, inc, posties, and i try to keep her in when postie is due, some delivery people actually ask to meet her, as she is a fluffy gs b.tch, which is great for her, and keeps her ok with people,

mazza111

If a dog is loose in the garden you are well within ure rights as a postie not to enter the property. Mark the mail as inaccessible and take back to delivery office for delivery the next day

Raksha

Never make eye contact with a dog. Never turn your back on a dog. A wagging tail doesn't always mean it's friendly. If it seems friendly, stroke its chest and chin, never pat a dog on the head.

A dog will normally give two levels of warning - 1) a cold hard stare, this is often ignored, or returned (remember, never stare at a dog, it is a challenge) 2) the curl of the lip, and/or growl , most dogs have had these warnings ignored at best, and at worst punished for them, so not all dogs will give these warnings, hence 'he attacked with no warning'

My son is a delivery driver for HDS, and following these rules he has most dogs literally rolling over for belly rubs, even the ones whose owners say they aren't friendly

BYALPHAINDIA

I agree,

When you visit a property you (Quickly) do a Risk Assesment in your head.

Many Moons ago - I was a 'Meter Reader' and we were trained to 'Asses the Risk' BEFORE we entered a garden or a house.

Not AFTER.

Our managers would not authorise us to go out without protection, Which was a small Can of Peppermint Spray.

A spray totally harmless to a dog, Which stopped any dog within so many seconds from approaching you.

In 18 months I only had to use the spray 3 times.

And would visit about 900 properties a week.

The worst dogs are I agree the 'little' one's usually the Jack Russells.

We were authorised by the RSPCA to use the spray on a dog, If we had to stop an attack.

I don't want to speculate, But what ever has gone WRONG with this delivery, The Risk Assesment should always be done BEFORE.

Letters can wait another day, Rather than have a Rotweiler taking a piece of you.

As already said, You have the right to decide to go into the garden or not, Not your Manager sat in a 'COMFY' office miles away.

snowman2_2

breezerockz wrote: »

what an awful thing to happen, attacked whilst doing your job,

Tell me about it, happens regularly
Basically you have to learn to read dogs, the quiet ones that give no warning are the worst. Avoid direct eye contact, develop quick reactions and try not to get too close. Don't look nervous, be confident and if all else fails, don't deliver. Royal Mail must have some warning system for dangerous dogs. I work on a safety first policy. There have only been 2 dogs I have refused to treat - 2 yorkies that I| couldn't get within 5 feet of, spreading urine and s#%t everywhere. Nothing beats experience with dogs though. i get bitten a lot less now than I did when I was younger - actually I have only been bitten once in last 5 years, 4 times in 5 years before that.

Kavanne

My bf's dog scared the !!!!! out of the little student temp postie today lol! I shut him in the lounge though but he wouldn't shut up! But he would have licked him to death had he been a dog lover.