From time to time you may encounter customers’ pets when making deliveries. As some animals can be unpredictable at times, it’s always best to approach and treat them with caution. If you are not confident in dealing with a pet, make contact with the customer so that the pet can either be secured, or the delivery can be completed away from the animal.
If you should find yourself in a situation where interaction with an aggressive pet is unavoidable here are some steps to follow:
Do:
- Stay calm
- Stay quiet
- Use a firm voice
- Stay/stand upright
- Move to a higher position
Don’t
- Panic
- Scream
- Run
- Flail limbs
- Make eye contact with the animal
- Jump up and down
When approaching an address, check for any signs a pet may be present. Do this before entering any gates as they may be outside the property. Signs that a dog lives at a property may include the sound of barking, dog bowls, a kennel and a ‘beware’ sign.
If you do come across a loose dog, do not approach it. Calmly walk away backwards, facing the dog but not making eye contact.
Don’t assume that a dog can’t break its chain or rope, or escape from a seemingly enclosed area. Signs of aggression may include: intense eye contact; bared teeth, snarling, snapping at the air in front of you, shaking, and/or hair raised.
It’s important to show you are neither a threat nor prey, so don’t make eye contact, shout, run, or panic. Remain calm, back away slowly, and say ‘no’ in a firm voice if the dog begins to approach you. It can also help to place your bag down between you and the dog as a physical barrier and to take up more space. It can also serve as a good distraction for an angry dog.
If all else fails and you are attacked, use your arms to protect your face. Keep your hands in fists to avoid the dog snapping at your fingers. If you end up on the ground, curl into a ball. And if the dog latches onto you, resist the urge to pull away as this can cause more damage or injury.
As soon as possible, remove yourself from the scene and call your local authorities if the situation is urgent. Remember to clean any bites or scrapes carefully, and seek medical attention if any wound is deep or shows signs of infection. Courier support are here to help if you have any issues, so always report any incidents to us via the chat function on the app.
Please bear in mind that dog attacks are, thankfully, pretty rare, and most dogs present little or no threat to your safety. Following the steps outlined above should help to defuse the situation and prevent any escalation.
