Dog bit postman through letterbox

onyx911

Hi all, I have a German shepherd dog and have had him for 6 and a half years. Today whilst delivering the post, a new postman put the letters through the letterbox and my dog bit his finger. I expect he was trying to grab the post which he does all the time. This has never happened before and the postman's fingers would have to have come through all the way past the brush strips for him to have been bitten.

The postman didn't knock but came back about 20 mins later with two people from Royal Mail. That was the first I heard of it. His finger was cut and bleeding a little (but not a lot). I told them I was surprised as it had never happened before and they said we should have a sign up saying we have a dog. He actually barks at anyone walking up the drive way, always has done. I asked if they wanted to come in and if the postman wanted to clean his finger and put a plaster on the cut but they said they needed to take him to hospital. They took pictures of the house to show there was no sign then left.

I will pick up a basket for the other side of the door and fit it today so that this never happens again. In the meantime, what can I expect from Royal Mail? They just said "we'll write to you about this". Am I likely to get a visit from the police?

Comms69

onyx911 wrote: »

Hi all, I have a German shepherd dog and have had him for 6 and a half years. Today whilst delivering the post, a new postman put the letters through the letterbox and my dog bit his finger. I expect he was trying to grab the post which he does all the time. This has never happened before and the postman's fingers would have to have come through all the way past the brush strips for him to have been bitten.

The postman didn't knock but came back about 20 mins later with two people from Royal Mail. That was the first I heard of it. His finger was cut and bleeding a little (but not a lot). I told them I was surprised as it had never happened before and they said we should have a sign up saying we have a dog. He actually barks at anyone walking up the drive way, always has done. I asked if they wanted to come in and if the postman wanted to clean his finger and put a plaster on the cut but they said they needed to take him to hospital. They took pictures of the house to show there was no sign then left.

I will pick up a basket for the other side of the door and fit it today so that this never happens again. In the meantime, what can I expect from Royal Mail? They just said "we'll write to you about this". Am I likely to get a visit from the police?

A visit, maybe. Any action; very unlikely.


You simply turn it around on them and say why was his hand in your home?!


As an aside, don't ever invite people like this in to your home. They weren't there on a social call.

onyx911

Thank you. I don't mean to push blame back onto the new postman but I have been struggling to understand why his fingers needed to go through to the inside when the width of the door is quite thick. Plus it's never happened in all these years. Still, I do feel bad for the postman but take your point about not inviting them in.

I've checked my pet insurance and it does cover any fines for dog bites but of course they may then refuse to insure him the following year.

Dia_Pita

Hi you will probably have a visit from the police and cautioned. Also you will receive a letter from the unions solicitors as they try to prosecute in all cases. Check your home contents insurance as it usually covers this.

Comms69

onyx911 wrote: »

Thank you. I don't mean to push blame back onto the new postman but I have been struggling to understand why his fingers needed to go through to the inside when the width of the door is quite thick. Plus it's never happened in all these years. Still, I do feel bad for the postman but take your point about not inviting them in. - Feel bad for the person. But remember this isn't a person you're dealing with, but a commercial entity

I've checked my pet insurance and it does cover any fines for dog bites but of course they may then refuse to insure him the following year.

I'm 99% sure this wont go further than a H&S report internal to the royal mail

Comms69

Dia_Pita wrote: »

Hi you will probably have a visit from the police and cautioned. - cautioned, really? absolute rubbish Also you will receive a letter from the unions solicitors - the unions, you sure? rubbish again as they try to prosecute in all cases. Check your home contents insurance as it usually covers this.

A caution can only be applied if the person has admitted guilt. There is no guilt here.


The union don't prosecute anyone.


the royal mail might try to but unlikely. the CPS wont touch it with a bargepole.

onyx911

I thought the same thing about caution. Seems extreme. Also, isn't the test that the dog has to be dangerously out of control. I'm not sure that test is satisfied as he was inside the house behind a locked door. I guess it's arguable as there was a bite. But I also thought prosecutions would be reserved for when the dog gets out the house or the injury is quite severe.

custardy

onyx911 wrote: »

Hi all, I have a German shepherd dog and have had him for 6 and a half years. Today whilst delivering the post, a new postman put the letters through the letterbox and my dog bit his finger. I expect he was trying to grab the post which he does all the time. This has never happened before and the postman's fingers would have to have come through all the way past the brush strips for him to have been bitten.

The postman didn't knock but came back about 20 mins later with two people from Royal Mail. That was the first I heard of it. His finger was cut and bleeding a little (but not a lot). I told them I was surprised as it had never happened before and they said we should have a sign up saying we have a dog. He actually barks at anyone walking up the drive way, always has done. I asked if they wanted to come in and if the postman wanted to clean his finger and put a plaster on the cut but they said they needed to take him to hospital. They took pictures of the house to show there was no sign then left.

I will pick up a basket for the other side of the door and fit it today so that this never happens again. In the meantime, what can I expect from Royal Mail? They just said "we'll write to you about this". Am I likely to get a visit from the police?

you were aware of the risk before hand.
'never happened before' Oh how many times that one is trotted out.

onyx911

custardy wrote: »

you were aware of the risk before hand.
'never happened before' Oh how many times that one is trotted out.

I'm pretty sure if it had happened before Royal Mail would have told us rather than quietly walking away!!

custardy

onyx911 wrote: »

I'm pretty sure if it had happened before Royal Mail would have told us rather than quietly walking away!!

No,its the standard line from dog owners when a postie gets bitten.
trotted out year after year.
Closely followed by 'dont worry,he doesnt bite'

Rosemary7391

You didn't see it happen? Could their hand have been caught on the corner of the letterbox? Fitting a box sounds like a good idea anyway.