Written by Christine Skorepa
Citizen staff
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Friday, 26 June 2009 |
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There have been two incidents of dogs biting letter carriers over the past week and a significant increase in reports of dog aggression, says Canada Post's superintendent for collection and delivery in Prince George.
"At this time of year we're finding more gates are left open and more screen doors are left open," said Kelvin Olson. "We need the public to be really conscious of dogs and delivery people."
Olson said it's not just the letter carriers that are threatened. Meter readers and other workers in neighbourhoods are out and about, too.
"This time of year, the weather starts getting warmer and maybe these animals have been penned up for the winter," said Olson.
The threat of aggressive behaviour comes from all kinds of dogs, in all kinds of neighbourhoods, Olson said.
"The complaints are about the favourite family pet who would never bite anybody, to the aggressive dog who's got logging chains hooked onto him," said Olson. "We've been very, very fortunate nobody's been aggressively chewed on, but there have been puncture marks and scrapes -- it's too close."
The victims of the dogs can't help being extra cautious about an approaching dog after being bitten and Olson said it has caused some anxiety to those letter carriers.
"You do get a little more conscious of your environment -- you start watching for these things because even that little poodle has pretty sharp teeth," said Olson. "We've seen small dogs go through many layers of clothing to puncture the skin."
The dogs are doing what they are supposed to do, Olson added, in that they are trying to protect their household.
When there is any sign of aggressive behaviour, letter carriers are obligated to report it to the city in the interest of public safety, Olson said. Each incident is reported to animal control and depending on the severity of the case, actions taken will vary.
According to Ken Craig, manager of bylaw services, at times the owner will surrender the dog to the city to be put down or they may have to make alterations to the yard, like having an enclosed compound built to hold the dog. The city may issue various fines, depending on the circumstances and the type of dog involved.
Olson said the dog owner is then asked to write a letter of acknowledgment stating the dog was out and that they will take measures to confine the dog in future in an effort to no longer impede safe delivery of the mail. That's when the letter carrier will resume mail delivery.
"We just want the issue resolved," said Olson.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 26 June 2009 )
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It is also natural for dogs to run loose and run in packs to kill things, so people should stay inside their own fenced yards in order to protect dogs from being shot. This is not like in the old days where people could rely on common sense to guide you through your day. Now dogs have rights and it's the dog owners that might have to be put down to protect the dog. My dad always said the world was going to the dogs.