Postal Letter

Why do you get mad at the mailman when your dog attacks him?

I am a mailman,and I understand that dogs do not like mailman for some strange reason. I get along with some dogs that are gentle but the owners of the dogs are the problem. They or their children open the doors to grab the mail when they see me coming and of course out comes the dog. If I had a nickel for every time I heard that "My dog won't bite",or my dog will "lick you to death" I could retire. Believe me ,I don't want to be licked to death by your dog,and if your dog has teeth it will bite. Please control your dog and tie him up when the mailman comes around...maybe this prevent one dog bite today ..thank you I also hear people say when their dog comes out ,"Please don't spray my dog",,and when I do spray the dog when it is attacking they get made at me ...why? Most responses were very good ones,although I would like to point out that we "ARE NOT ALLOWED TO CARRY TREATS FOR DOGS",reason being is that if a substitute carrier runs into the dog without the treat the dog might turn on the mailman and 'BITE HIM/HER".

Public Comments

1. cuz the mail man attacks the dog first with the mase spray into the doggys eye balls
2. As a mailman, you bring pain and suffering to those on your route (with the bills and dunning notices). It's just their way of returning the favor. Besdies, I thought the USPS opted for the gender-neutral letter carrier.
3. SEE KIDS.... this is the reason you should stay in school!
4. Funny I feel just like you do. In fact I told my mail man if the dog ever acts aggressively to you spray him first and ask questions later. I would be very upset if my dog bite someone. As far as the mailman thing you come every day and drop mail making a noise and the dog barks and you leave. From the dogs point of view he did his job and scared you away. It is a self reinforcing behavior that happens 6 days per week.
5. Some dogs have terroitoral aggression. Ur a threat coming into his space. These dogs usually act like this with any stranger
6. I agree with you, some owner are fukcing idiots! I used to tell our mailman to spray the shti out of my mothers dogs because she wouldn't do the responsible thing and I couldn't beat them afterward because they probably wouldn't know why I would after the event. I was a courier for FedEx, and I would kick them, in front of owners. Self defense, no judge will turn on you then. This man is not asking why dogs bark and bite, he is asking why you idiots don't secure your dog!
7. i don't
8. You're in one of those no-win situations, my friend. Dogs are just an occupational hazard for you, but you're right in trying to explain your side of the issue to the dog owners on your route. I have 11 dogs, mostly small ones, and I know they'll bite whoever enters their domain as they perceive it. This is why I don't open the door for the mail until I know for sure the mailman has already vacated the AO. Dog control is primarily an owner responsibility and I don't blame you a bit for trying to protect yourself when an owner fails to prevent any problems between their dog and you. You're just trying to do your job. Its not the dog's fault and its not yours; its the owner's.
9. I Agree With You To A Point, Dogs Should Not Be Out Roaming The Streets Without Their Owner, I Also Believe That Dogs Come Running To The Door When They Hear A Knock Or The Door Bell. They Like Ourselves Are Just Wondering Who's Out Their. It's Not You THE MAILMAN It's Anyone Or Thing That Get The Animals Attention. People Should Maybe Put Their Dogs In Another Room When Someone Is At The Door, Just To Make Sure That It's Safe For The Person Or Persons At The Other End. Some Dogs Don't Like Strange People Even If They See Them AT Short Times Each Day. They Are Just Watching Out For The People That They Love. But Yes It's The Owners Responsibility To Restrain The Dog So Nobody Gets Hurt When Coming To Their Door.
10. I'm a UPS driver, and I feel your pain !!! In fact, I've felt it a few times on my legs and butt !!! And you're right, it happens the most when people open their doors to release their hound !! Then just chuckle with it sinks their teeth in me !! I then call my center and report it as an accident, then I go in and fill out a ton of paperwork...all this to cover myself in case the the bite gets infected or whatever and to make a record that this dog has biten someone......my boss makes a call to the owners so that he can get copies of their rabies vaccination and to go over the accident with them....I want to put a litte fear into the pet owner, so that next time someone comes to the door ( a kid selling cookies or the paper boy collecting money), they think twice about letting their beast out !!!
11. A delivery person has every right to protect themselves, and any person who owns a dog should know that. They are responsible for that pet and should take every precaution possible to insure the safety of anyone coming to their door. What I found to be true about Letter Carriers is that they are very caucious and well should be. I always made sure my dog was in the house before my letter carrier arrived at my door. There isn't much you can do about the jerks who get on your case and as far as I know, you can refuse to deliver their mail if you feel in danger of their pet.
12. People can be such idiots. Unfortunately, people do not have to prove that they are fit to own a dog. Yes, dogs are absolutely territorial, and will become aggressive if their territory is breached. Nothing that you can do about it. Personally, I think that the owner is responsible for restraining their animal. A dog is a dog. They have dog tendencies, and responsible adults should control the situation, so that other people, and animals, including their own dog, do not get hurt. Wish I could tell you something different. I personally am fed up with the idiots who do not provide a leash, or a fence for their animals because they're sure that their dog is under voice command. Great. In my county, my leashed dogs are not only at risk when someone elses loose dog attacks them, but the law states that if they defend themselves, then they are labeled dangerous for having attacked another dog. Three strikes, they're out, the county wants your dangerous dog put to sleep. Needless to say, I don't walk my dogs in my own neighborhood anymore. Guess you could suggest to the bad owners that they get a P.O.Box if they can't be bothered to appreciate the free, at home delivery service by restraining their animals. Good luck.
13. Well Mr. Mai;man all i have to say about dogs biting mailman is the people that has them have not made it clear to the dog they are not to bit.If people would take time to train there dogs not to bit you mailman and Lady's would have a much better day.I have to large dogs and are mailcarrers love them both
14. I have sympathy for mailmen who have to deal with aggressive dogs. Some are simply barking because they get excited whenever *anyone* comes to the door. Most of these are just friendly, but it's bad manners to let them jump all over people. Some regard the territory as "theirs" and think they need to defend it from all intruders. They should not be loose where they can harm people. However, some dogs have a special hate on for the mailman. Look at it from the dog's point of view. You come to the house every day, but you are obviously not welcome or his family would let you in. You're doing something around the front door (breaking in? stealing the mailbox?). If he barks at you enough, you go away (works every time!). He's defended his family for another day. Whenever possible, try to make friends with the dogs on your route (I've heard of mailmen carrying cookies or other treats for the dogs). However, if a dog is threatening or attacking you you are well within your rights to defend yourself. If people don't want their dog sprayed they should keep it under control.
15. my dog likes the postman/lady. she runs to the door wagging her tail...