Ten households on a cul-de-sac in Bramcote, Nottingham, have been told they will have to travel to their local post office to collect their mail because a Shetland Sheepdog called Missy poses an "unacceptable risk".
However Missy's owners, pensioners Dereck and Patricia Read, say she is just yapping and would not cause the postman any harm.
Mr Read, 80, said: "How can you have a postman who is scared of dogs? We have never had this problem before and I have never heard anything like it."
"After the last chap retired, who had been coming for ten or 12 years with no problem, this young lad started about 18 months ago.
"His dad drives the van and drops him outside to run and deliver the mail.
"We have a floor-to-ceiling glass window by our door and I used to see him bating Missy with letters, making her jump up and really riling her.
"Then sure enough she would follow him if she was out - but never closer than three feet - and he would try and hit her with the mail.
"She'll bark at him now, but she's never touched him. The problem is he's never around long enough for us to have a word with him.
"If he had a word with us, rather than just complaining, we could introduce him to the dog properly and there would be no problem.
"I think this postie just doesn't like yapping. It's not exactly a good reason to stop all deliveries.
"We have even suggested the Royal Mail change the rounds, so we get a postman who's not scared of dogs or yapping.
"But they have refused and made everyone travel four miles each day instead."
The bottom line is that the mail carrier shouldn't have to worry about a dog chasing them. If the mail carrier trips and breaks an ankle, they're going to be sued. Or if the dog nips the carrier's ankles, the dog could be put down. Why would they want to risk their dog hurting someone or being euthanized?
Retired teacher Mrs Read, 78, said: "Missy is our sixth Shetland Sheepdog. We wouldn't get these dogs if they were a problem."
She added: "We give her an early morning walk and then keep her in until the afternoon. We've even had a post box so they won't have to come down the drive.
"She is a sheepdog and sheepdog round up sheep - that's just what she's doing going round the postman in circles. Fancy having a job like that if you're afraid of dogs."
 |
| Although the article is written as funny since it's a smaller dog, I think the issue is that no one should be subjected to someone's dog chasing them. How many times have owners said, "He won't bite"? |
A Royal Mail spokesman said: "Concerns regarding a loose dog were first raised in April last year and despite reassurances from the dog owner, the dog is still not under control, is not secured and continues to be a threat to our people.
"It was loose again in December and chased our postmen and attempted to attack them. It is currently still not properly secured when the postman is on his rounds.
"We are keen to reinstate all deliveries as soon as possible and as soon as it is judged safe to do so.
"Royal Mail has also been continually reviewing the ongoing suspension of mail to the customers in Dormy Close and we have done so again in the last week.
"We would like to reassure our customers and elected representatives that our review has been escalated and is being treated as a priority.
"We are also aware that the Dog Warden will again be visiting the dog owner this week."
(Telegraph News - March 8, 2017)
Searching for the best pellet gun in a low price ? Visit our site for your desired weapon and don't worry about your budget. We supply all types of gun in a reasonable price. Visit us for a perfect reviews.
ReplyDelete