Mail Carriers and dog bites

[bobm]

Today on the Portland, Ore. KGW Ch 8 noon news stated that there is now a 20% increase of dog bites on Mail Carriers for this year compared to last year. The reporter stated that it isn't the dogs' fault , but the irrisponsible dog owners for not keeping their dogs contained. The reporter stated that the US Postal Service will not deliver mail to any household that the Mail Carrier deems unsafe. The home owner will have to go to the Post Office to pick up their mail. Last year the bleeding heart dog rescue group of over a hundred "rescued meat dogs" from S. Korean dog breeding farms that are intended for dog meat for sale. There was several publicity reports by the local humane society showing these rescued Japanese Fighting dogs to be adopted to the public. They showed with much fanfare and publicity the adoption of about 4 of the first of these dogs to be adopted out, but NOTHING since. Any possible remote connection ? Hmmmmm !

 

[Nyboy]

You don't need to import a dog to have it be protective of it's home. I bred my fathers dog, mailman refuses to deliver to mailbox on house. My father had to move box to street, or pick up at post office. I have several guard dogs that will rip apart any person entering house. I can take them from the owner and not worry about getting bite. Away from their territory total different dog.

 

[ducks4you]

You don't need to import a dog to have it be protective of it's home.

So, true!! My, 9yo dog, Pyg, doesn't make friends quickly. But, she is NOT a biter, just a barker and a growler. When she gets to know my neighbors/friends, she will bark/growl and wag her tail at the same time. If they talk softly to her they can usually pet her in a few minutes. If you sit down with her for a few hours, she is in your lap.
A few weeks ago a man drives up my driveway and steps out of his truck. Don't know him from Adam, but my dog got to him before I did. Before I could even ask him what he was doing, he tells me that my dog bit him.
I was NOT prepared for this, but if it ever happens again, I WILL BE!
Instead of telling him that he was trespassing and needed to leave, I told him that my dog does not bite. He walked back his comment to, "Well...your dog grazed me with his teeth."
Clearly, this was a stranger, my dog KNEW IT, and was protecting me, and I didn't appreciate it.
I almost want to put up a NO Tresspassing sign and grab my neighbors as they walk by in the summer---yeah, it's that kind of a sleepy town---to tell them about my experience, and that I am ok if THEY walk on my lawn.
It REALLY shook me up.
I have heard DH and other attorneys suggest that you say, "Why did you hit my car?!?" if ever you are in an accident. It is a power play.
DH said I should have been packing.
I think retelling this story has made be decide that this summer is a good time to get a puppy so that Pyg can enjoy the puppy and train her in. (I was sitting on the fence about it.)

 

[catjac1975]

When I was a kid we had an alpha male mutt. He was not neutered-we were dumb dog owners. He was very sweet but hated other male dogs and got into a scuffle or two. He hated anything in a uniform and would bark very aggressively. My Mom kept him on the 2nd floor front porch a lot. We had a postman who would throw a dog biscuit upstairs to him. He would hear the mail truck from several streets away and start crying and whining until my Mom put him out on the porch. That was one smart mailman that made my dog not fear his uniform.

 

[seedcorn]

Why must male dogs be neutered? We neutered current one because he is 97# of solid muscle and afraid of his own shadow. Shy dogs are a danger-IMHO. Not neutering a male dog does not make someone a bad owner.

Dangerous dogs are as Bob described are for the owners to control.

@ducks4you Check with a lawyer but a "No trespassing" sign does not take away your liabilities. Putting up a "Beware of Dog" sign makes you guilty if someone is bitten as lawyer will say, you knew of danger and did not take corrective measures.

 

[ducks4you]

DH IS an attorney. I'm not at ALL worried about liabilities. DH has assured me that a trespassor injured is not a legal liability for us. Far different than letting someone ride my horse and get hurt.
We have 2 attys in the office and DD is also one. There is power in numbers and lawsuits are like indictments. You can indict a ham sandwich and most lawsuits are lost.

 

[ducks4you]

Why must male dogs be neutered?

Because of the owners of non-spayed female dogs who ask the same question.

 

[seedcorn]

Difference is that (at least it use to be) it is illegal to allow a in heat female to run. Plus a male won't give YOU unwanted pups. Or at least I've never heard of a pregnant male.

Illinois is more enlightened than Indiana. While a trespasser may have some legal problems, home owner (or his animals) can only take action IF they are caught in your home or causing someone harm.

 

[Zeedman]

There is a reason that postal workers are so often attacked. All dogs are territorial by nature; a pack of wild dogs will attack a "rogue" that trespasses into its territory. The fact that domestic dogs have adopted us into their "packs" does not diminish this instinct. A postal worker walking down a block crosses many invisible boundaries - with dogs all along the way sounding the alarm - and appears as a rogue. Delivery people & visitors are not immune to attack either... but they don't get the pent-up anger caused by daily incursions into a dog's territory. That dog which has been barking at you for months only has to get loose once - and angry dogs often break loose.

About 10 years ago, I did a few months as a temporary postal delivery worker, in an urban zone. There were several homes I could not deliver to, because dogs were chained or fenced (but running loose) within reach of the mail box/slot. Sometimes the owners would say "don't worry, he won't hurt you"... but they made no effort to calm their dogs, and you don't give a snarling dog in full charge the benefit of the doubt. It is up to the owner to curb aggressive behavior, or to restrain their dogs. It is well & good to consider anyone on your property anywhere to be trespassing... but there are many (postal, utility, government, emergency services, etc.) who have a legitimate right to knock on your front door, without fear of injury.

 

[Nyboy]

I love when a dogs owner says oh he show his teeth and growl but never bites.