Posties in constant fear of dog attacks (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)
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Posties in constant fear of dog attacks
4:01pm Thursday 9th July 2009 in
Dogs are among the biggest fears for posties across the district, a survey has found.
Six thousand postal workers get attacked each year, according to the Communication Workers Union.
Half of all postal workers are frequently growled at, 39 per cent have been the subject of teeth baring and 54 per cent regularly have to endure aggressive barking.
A quarter of postmen have been bitten by a dog on their post round, while 23 per cent have had their clothes damaged when trying to get away from a dog.
Paul Clays, CWU spokesman for West Yorkshire, said: “This is a serious problem as postal workers are attacked every day.
“We have had cases in West Yorkshire where postal workers have been put in hospital for months on end.”
Dangerous dogs do not necessarily need to be the popularly feared pit bull terriers as smaller dogs can be just as vicious, according to Mr Clays.
He said: “There are so many cases of dog attacks on postal workers but so little is done.
“We feel that dangerous dogs such as Pit Bulls should be registered, neutered, micro-chipped, and insured as well as all the other legal requirements.
“Any dogs which bite or attack should be put down, in our opinion.”
The average postal worker fears at least five dogs on their usual round every day, according to the research.
And more than a third of postmen have tried to get clever in a bid to ensure their safety on the round by offering the dog biscuits, bones and chews.
Mike Pickard, head of home insurance at Esure which carried out the survey, said: “Dog owners should always ensure their pet is under control and is in no position to harm either a postman or a passer-by.”
Pit Bull Terriers were voted Britain’s most fearsome dogs and are most likely to strike fear into the hearts of postal workers more than any other breed.
e-mail: newsdesk @telegraphandargus.co.uk
Comments(12)
Autolatry
says...
4:15pm Thu 9 Jul 09
if you dont like being a postie, get another job. Simple as that.
Why does everyone have to moan about bulls*it these days.
Postmen get bitten by dogs, thats how its always been.
carry some biscuits in your pocket and youl be fine.
Juice Terry
says...
4:28pm Thu 9 Jul 09
Iona Cortina
says...
4:48pm Thu 9 Jul 09
Autolatry wrote:What a juvenile post.
Get over it.
if you dont like being a postie, get another job. Simple as that.
Why does everyone have to moan about bulls*it these days.
Postmen get bitten by dogs, thats how its always been.
carry some biscuits in your pocket and youl be fine.
I agree with what someone said; the owners of these vicious dogs should go the depot. themselves to collect their mail.
The life of a human being is worth more than sick, despicable dogs.
Warthog
says...
4:52pm Thu 9 Jul 09
Juice Terry wrote:.22 with a sound moderator would be a better bet. :)
Cattle prods?
lufc10
says...
4:55pm Thu 9 Jul 09
clackett.lane
says...
6:23pm Thu 9 Jul 09
lufc10 wrote:So if you dislike them so much, you won't be fussed if they give your place a miss and save some time each day.
when i was a postman it was a very common practice to say there was a vicious dog loose on a road if you didnt want to deliver to that road. if these posties arent moaning about "harsh working conditions" there thieving our mail,cutting us up in their vans their getting to our houses at all hours.
lonniejockstrap
says...
12:11am Fri 10 Jul 09
Autolatry wrote:Maybe Mr? Macho should try stepping into a garden with a snarling dog running loose with his? biscuit tin and then let us all know how successful his idea was. Hope you have a Christmas size box of biscuits.
Get over it. if you dont like being a postie, get another job. Simple as that. Why does everyone have to moan about bulls*it these days. Postmen get bitten by dogs, thats how its always been. carry some biscuits in your pocket and youl be fine.
lufc10
says...
6:27am Fri 10 Jul 09
ItchyBungle
says...
12:41pm Fri 10 Jul 09
The issue here isn't about what type of dog it may be, but the fact that 6,000 workers a year get attacked by dogs and these people have the right to work without fear of attack (as we all do). I agree with the posts above that if you cannot secure your dog to ensure the safety of postal workers then your delivery should be cut until you can prove that the workers would be safe delivering to your house!
Autolatry
says...
4:02pm Fri 10 Jul 09
ItchyBungle wrote:I wouldnt be prepared to put myself at risk for less than average wages. Id go to college / uni and get some qualifications.
For all those people who do not have sympathy fot the posties: would you be prepared to put yourselves at such risk for a less-than-average wage?
The issue here isn't about what type of dog it may be, but the fact that 6,000 workers a year get attacked by dogs and these people have the right to work without fear of attack (as we all do). I agree with the posts above that if you cannot secure your dog to ensure the safety of postal workers then your delivery should be cut until you can prove that the workers would be safe delivering to your house!
Its all about choices. No one is forced to be a postie.
Be all you can be.
albion
says...
4:31pm Fri 10 Jul 09
Autolatry wrote:Even if everyone went to college someone would end up doing the job, i can remember students working as posties during the Christmas rush, it used to be a regular thing a few years ago.
ItchyBungle wrote:I wouldnt be prepared to put myself at risk for less than average wages. Id go to college / uni and get some qualifications.
For all those people who do not have sympathy fot the posties: would you be prepared to put yourselves at such risk for a less-than-average wage?
The issue here isn't about what type of dog it may be, but the fact that 6,000 workers a year get attacked by dogs and these people have the right to work without fear of attack (as we all do). I agree with the posts above that if you cannot secure your dog to ensure the safety of postal workers then your delivery should be cut until you can prove that the workers would be safe delivering to your house!
Its all about choices. No one is forced to be a postie.
Be all you can be.
Most of the Indians you talk to in call centres are university graduates, on reflection i would rather deliver the mail.
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albion says...
4:14pm Thu 9 Jul 09