Is it acceptable for my postie to refuse to deliver because my dog barked at her?

🐈 寵物台 狗
2008-07-04 10:47 pm
On Monday my wife was in my back garden and heard the gate at the side of the house open. Our black lab/cocker spaniel cross dog was free in the garden and immediately went to see who it was, barking loudly, which is why we got her in the first place. My wife quickly went after her and saw it was the postwoman, shouted to our dog who couldn't hear because she was being so noisy, and so got her collar and pulled her away.

The whole thing took about 10-15 seconds, and she apologised to the postwoman saying we normally keep her inside until they've delivered. Yesterday the manager from the sorting office came to the door to hand deliver a letter saying our dog had 'attacked' and 'harmed' the postwoman and wanting to know what we were going to do.

He was very understanding when she told him the postwoman had over exaggerated what happened, and the manager said they'd rattle the gate and if the dog was free in the garden they wouldn't deliver, otherwise they'd come in...
更新1:

Today, another postwoman came down our path, and knocked very loudly on our front window, and when my wife went out to her she said they're not going to come in the garden any more. We both delivered papers when we were younger, so we know what it's like having to go into a property when you know a dog is sometimes loose. My wife was bitten on the face by a dog when she was younger, who had one side of its jaw sank into her cheek and the other side into the inside of her mouth, so we're not taking this lightly. We usually keep our dog inside or on a rope until after the post has been delivered, but as they deliver anything between 9am and 2pm it's difficult to live our lives around when they decide to deliver. We also have signs up saying 'beware of the dog'

更新2:

You wouldn't be a pilot if you had vertigo, and as huge numbers of people have dogs in Britain, postal workers must know that interacting with dogs is part of the job, although I believe that dangerous dogs are something that should never be tolerated. Our dog is boistrous but never aggressive, she didn't growl, bare her teeth, her hackles were down and she was wagging her tail, buzzing round the feet of the postie to get a fuss. I don't think a dog barking at a postie is justification enough for them to refuse to deliver post to me, what do you recon?

更新3:

Thanks for your answers, but doesn't putting a mail box outside the gate so they don't have to come into the garden, look as though we agree our dog has been aggressive, when she's hasn't at all?

回答 (21)

2008-07-04 10:59 pm
✔ 最佳答案
Yes, it is reasonable.... My dad is a letter carrier, and he has been bitten by 8 dogs-- completely un-provoked.

ADD-- What's with all the thumbs down for people saying it's okay?! It really is okay for a postal worker to refuse, for any reason. My dad is a mail man, and I asked him-- he said he flat out will not deliver to anyone who has a dog barking in their yard-- BECAUSE he has been BITTEN by 8 dogs at his job. If your dog bites, it will be reported and he may have to be euthanized.... Is that what you really want? Mail men do not have to deliver mail if a car is blocking the mailbox, or if they feel threatened.
👍 3 👎 1
2008-07-04 11:19 pm
It does seem like there was some exaggeration going on. However, I do understand where the postal worker is coming from...I wouldn't enjoy trying to get my job done and having some strange dog (that I can't be sure won't bite me) come running and barking at me.

The electric company won't check the meter if my dogs are back there, so it will go to the estimated reading, which costs a fortune. They send a notice of the dates they are coming, and I make sure my dogs are not out unattended on that day.

I think putting your post box in the front is an excellent idea. It doesn't admit anything. Actually...it sounds beneficial for you all, your dog, and for the postal workers. No unnecessary stress on anybody...and no postal workers treading into your (and the dog's) territory.
👍 6 👎 2
2008-07-04 10:55 pm
The postal worker has to protect themselves.. they should not expect to just walk onto a property if a dog is loose.. this puts themselves at a risk.

Keep the dog inside until the mail is delivered, or if possible, move your mailbox so the postal worker can reach it without going in the gate... yes the postal worker does have the right to refuse to deliver if a dog is loose. Just because they deliver mail, does not mean they have to risk getting bit.

Even a normally friendly dog can bite a postal worker.. dogs are territorial, and its a stranger who comes to their property, then leaves when they bark.

A postal worker is under no obligation to risk themselves over delivering a few letters.. if the dog is loose, the mail can be delivered the next day when the dog is not out.


I dont think putting the box outside the gate is an admittance that your dog is aggressive.. its just providing the safety for your letter carrier, without causing you the inconvinience of keeping your dog in the house during that time.
👍 4 👎 3
2008-07-05 11:31 am
They only have your word that your dog won't bite. I think your best option is to just put a locked post box at the end of your gate. Though this is in some ways "admitting defeat" it's just safer and easier all round. I can see your frustration but I can also see things from your postwoman's point of view. I used to work for the Police and when we did house calls we often had to walk through gardens with loose dogs. I am an animal lover but at times I was wary. Not all labradors are placid, some do bite.
👍 3 👎 1
2008-07-05 5:51 am
As a former postie, I'd have to agree with your postie here. She not only must consider her own personal saftey, she has an obligation, in a way, to help reduce the amount of money paid out by the post office for injuries on the job, the bulk of which are probably dog bites. You know your dog is unlikely to bite, the postie does not know that, and even if the dog gets to know your postie, there may be a different postie from time to time, who won't be familiar to your dog. A postie, in my opinion, should not have to deliver if a dog is loose where the mail has to go. Dogs react very badly to posties; they are often seen as intruders who always go away if the dog barks, so the dog thinks the barking was successful and is sometimes encouraged by that to ramp it up. I myself was bitten twice, while standing talking to the owners of the respective dogs, and the dogs didn't bother to bark first. Just make it simple for everyone and have a box inside the fence with a slot on the outside. I used to deliver to a house with a dog who would seize the mail as it came through the door slot, and shake it to death. I could see him doing it through the glass sidelight. I always wondered why the owners didn't get tired of having mangled mail and put a box up.
👍 3 👎 2
2008-07-04 10:59 pm
I don't think it's right at all but i guess some people just won't tolerate small things. If i were your postie i would not think anything of a lab/cocker barking with a wagging tail! Perhaps one of the requirements for a job as a postie should be 'love of dogs'!
My dad delivers ironed clothing to peoples houses and i sometimes go along with him and we've had a few dogs come up to us (including a large GSD mix) barking but with tails wagging and we know they're just being protective (but not in an aggressive way). My dad isn't going to refuse to deliver someones ironing just because they have a barking dog.
👍 3 👎 3
2008-07-04 10:59 pm
They can do this if your dog was aggressive, but it doesn't sound like that was the case. In any case, the carrier was frightened and they need to ensure her safety. She thought there was a risk and that's usually enough.

I'd suggest going to the post office and discussing it with the postmaster (or whatever the top person in Britain is referred to). Or I'd try and talk to the person who actually signed the letter.

Perhaps there's a way to confine the dog until the mail is delivered or a way to put your box in an area your dog can't reach. It seems there's a way to resolve this.
👍 2 👎 1
2008-07-05 2:52 am
The postwoman obviously can refuse to deliver 'IF' you have an aggressive dog at home. But that doesn't seem like the case that you have an aggressive dog nor your dog attacks her.

As I have a dog at home, I understand there are some people dislike and scared of dogs even dogs are friendly. It's understandable for any human being to get scared if a dog starts barking at them, because you cannot tell if they're being friendly, unless you're a dog expert! so naturally, us human will back off or feel threaten by it.

But it seems like the postwoman exaggerated 100 x and blow it real big. (I've met a lot of people like this when I sometimes walk my dog, which my dog never attacks anything nor he is aggressive!) There are people just can't stand or let any animal walk pass them. You can't blame them for getting scared, but you can blame them for making it such a big deal or even start shouting and have a go at you.

If I am you, I would tell her

'Stop making it like it's a BIG DEAL, not that my dog physically attack you, so GET OVER IT and get back to work!'

Additionally, it's an natural instinct of dogs bark at strangers when they walk into their properties to let the owners know. They're pet but that's their job too. I think your dog was just doing her job well. Nothing wrong. GOOD DOG!!
👍 2 👎 3
2008-07-05 12:23 am
How bloody rediculous?
My dog goes berzerk when the postman comes every morning, but he's a big "pu$$y cat" and although he is huge, and noisy, my postie knows he's harmless, as he's been outside when he's delivered the mail, and been "licked" to death.
It's in a dog's nature to protect it's teritory, and most delivery people understand this. I really don't know what the world is coming to, as it's another case of "nannying" as far as I'm concerned.
I would have a word with the C.A.B. to see where you stand on this.Maybe you chould suggest the postwoman should consider finding herself another job, if she's going to "hit off" about every dog that barks at her. STUPID COW!!!!
👍 2 👎 3
2016-03-16 3:42 pm
I agree, no one should feel afraid when going to work, but on the other hand no one should feel like they are a prisoner in their own home. My mail carrier is a B&^%$, there is no other word for it. She is fat and lazy and complained she didn't want to walk up stairs to deliver the mail. I have news for you, if you cant do the job then get out. This mail carrier has had every excuse under the sun. First it was my dog which was not a pit bull but a very lovable mutt. He was rarely outside but when he was someone was always with him. She wouldn't even wave and say hi im here can you come grab the mail because im afraid of dogs. Of course I would have met her at the property line or put the dog inside. No instead, there were time I would walk out there and she would look at me and get in her car. After the dog passed, she refused to deliver bc the walkway wasn't cleared of snow ENOUGH! Not that it wasn't shoveled, it wasn't shoveled well enough for her. Ummm I shoveled before I left for work then it snowed, not something I can control. The lastest is my puppy which is potty training doesn't always make it the grass and has peed on the walkway, she says it smells like urine and will not delivery. No notice was given, she just stopped delivering. When I asked the supervisor I was told I had to move my mailbox to the curb.
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