Posties learn to bite back
Whangarei posties are a lot safer while delivering our mail thanks to new protection measures brought in after a serious dog attack last year.
After the attack, which left a Whangarei postie in hospital, steps have been taken to ensure posties keep safe, especially during the hectic lead-up to Christmas.
Mail centre leader Alyson Maioha says the posties have had workshops with the Brain Injury Association, which taught them how to correctly wear their helmets, and dog rangers, who taught them about dog awareness. Gee, it took a dog attack to get to know how to where your helmet? I thought that dog awareness was already part of a postie's education... I figured wrong.
The measures have resulted in a minimal number of dog attacks on posties in Whangarei this year. You mean that EDUCATION works! what a concept! ... so why do we have all these arbitrary dog laws that inflated dog registration price?
Dog body language, facial expressions and how to act around dogs were all covered in the workshop. Now that's new! (ya man, I'm been fasicious)
Some posties just don't like dogs and others are startled when dogs charge at them or jump up on fences or letterboxes says Ms Maioha. The posties ask that people restrain their dogs. The best way is to give a dog a treat! Did they mention in their workshop to put treats in their pockets? Show them you are their friend and what better way than to share a meal..
If dogs are found wandering the dog ranger is called immediately. Oh, you couldn't have that, now could you.
If a dog is inside a fence but is still causing problems for the posties the dog owner is contacted and asked to restrain it. If problems continue the dog ranger may be called.
"We try to work with the dog owners and most of the time they are really good, but if they aren't we work with the dog ranger," says Ms Maioha.
She says the number of dog attacks has decreased this year with the new measures but posties still aren't safe. No one is safe. If this is like a zero tolerance policy, it is failed right at the beginning. Why? because life is a risk!
Houses with dogs are marked as hazards on the posties round so when someone new takes over they know where to be cautious.
Posties also wear reflective fluoro vests while on their rounds to increase their visibility.
However some posties are still not being seen and drivers need to be aware, whether it is looking out for posties or pedestrians, says Ms Maioha.
I thought we were talking about dogs and posties. What's this about reflective vest and cars/peds. I would imagine that CARS and PEDS cause more trouble to posties than dogs.. but this is only mentionned at the bottom of the article. Hum...
After the attack, which left a Whangarei postie in hospital, steps have been taken to ensure posties keep safe, especially during the hectic lead-up to Christmas.
Mail centre leader Alyson Maioha says the posties have had workshops with the Brain Injury Association, which taught them how to correctly wear their helmets, and dog rangers, who taught them about dog awareness. Gee, it took a dog attack to get to know how to where your helmet? I thought that dog awareness was already part of a postie's education... I figured wrong.
The measures have resulted in a minimal number of dog attacks on posties in Whangarei this year. You mean that EDUCATION works! what a concept! ... so why do we have all these arbitrary dog laws that inflated dog registration price?
Dog body language, facial expressions and how to act around dogs were all covered in the workshop. Now that's new! (ya man, I'm been fasicious)
Some posties just don't like dogs and others are startled when dogs charge at them or jump up on fences or letterboxes says Ms Maioha. The posties ask that people restrain their dogs. The best way is to give a dog a treat! Did they mention in their workshop to put treats in their pockets? Show them you are their friend and what better way than to share a meal..
If dogs are found wandering the dog ranger is called immediately. Oh, you couldn't have that, now could you.
If a dog is inside a fence but is still causing problems for the posties the dog owner is contacted and asked to restrain it. If problems continue the dog ranger may be called.
"We try to work with the dog owners and most of the time they are really good, but if they aren't we work with the dog ranger," says Ms Maioha.
She says the number of dog attacks has decreased this year with the new measures but posties still aren't safe. No one is safe. If this is like a zero tolerance policy, it is failed right at the beginning. Why? because life is a risk!
Houses with dogs are marked as hazards on the posties round so when someone new takes over they know where to be cautious.
Posties also wear reflective fluoro vests while on their rounds to increase their visibility.
However some posties are still not being seen and drivers need to be aware, whether it is looking out for posties or pedestrians, says Ms Maioha.
I thought we were talking about dogs and posties. What's this about reflective vest and cars/peds. I would imagine that CARS and PEDS cause more trouble to posties than dogs.. but this is only mentionned at the bottom of the article. Hum...
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