Shop LocalThursday, March 24, 2011
U.S. Postal Service letter carriers are reluctant to go into some areas of Fulton because they fear big dogs that sometimes run loose, Fulton Postmaster Roger Bounds said Tuesday.
“Some of my carriers are frightened to deliver the mail, especially in the northwest area of the city near William Woods University stables and on West 14th Street,” Bounds said.
“In the area where the attack on our carrier occurred earlier this month, there are so many dogs running loose my carriers are almost paranoid about going into that area,” Bounds said.
“I’m almost to the point where it is becoming such a safety issue that I am thinking about requiring all mail delivery to be curbside so our carriers can stay in a vehicle and deliver the mail,” Bounds said. “I don’t want to go there. But if we continue to have the issues that we now face something must be done. My carriers cannot be afraid to do their job.”
On March 1 a Fulton letter carrier was injured severely when he was bitten in the face and arm. He was knocked to the ground and attacked by two large pit bull terriers that escaped from a house at 303 W. 14th St.
Bounds threatened to stop delivery at houses were big dogs are located if they are deemed a threat to letter carriers.
He said the post office no longer delivers mail to the door at 303 W. 14th St. where Fulton Postman Tom Galloway, 54, of Jefferson City was injured severely. “Although the two pit bulls that escaped from the house to attack our letter carrier have been put down, the big dog on a leash in the front yard is still there. Because of that, we now deliver only to a mailbox at the curb at this address. We required the postal customer to install a curbside mailbox. But the letter carrier still has to deliver to the homes next door so the situation is still not solved,” Bounds said.
“The city needs to enforce the current leash law and make the fine steep enough to deter people from letting their dogs run loose or ban all dogs in the city,” Bounds said.
A Fulton youngster was bitten Saturday by a dog after the boy’s pit bull was running loose and attacked another big dog that was chained in a neighborhood front yard.
“I know there is an ordinance that a dog has to be on a leash in the city. But it is not being enforced. Also we need some kind of an ordinance that prohibits big dogs that are capable of harming people if they get loose. Inside the city limits there are kids walking to school and playing. We also have people walking to work. We have letter carriers, water and electric meter readers that go all over the city. They shouldn’t have to be looking over their shoulder everywhere they go,” Bounds said.
“Some people tell me their big dog is on a leash. I understand that. But what happens if the collar breaks or the chain breaks and the dog somehow gets loose. That is not safe. We are back where we started with dogs running loose,” Bounds said.
Bounds said he wants to be contacted by the committee set up at the last city council meeting to study the issue of dogs running loose.
“My carriers would like for some member of the city council studying the issue to come with a carrier and walk with them so they could see the dogs running loose,” Bounds said.
Bounds said when letter carriers call the police department about dogs running loose, the police say they will contact animal control.
Police report it is up to animal control officers to issue citations for violations of the leash law.
“I don’t want this serious injury to happen again, especially to my employees. We are out there every day exposed,” Bounds said.
Bounds noted that the city of Fayette does not permit the licensing of new pit bulls in the city.
Retha Nichols, Fayette administrative assistant, said the ordinance banning new pit bulls in Fayette was passed about two years ago because of problems with the breed in the city.
She said current owners of pit bulls were allowed to keep them only if they were registered with the city and kept them in a pen where they could not escape. “They also must show that they have insurance if the dog should injure someone,” Nichols said.
Nichols said pit bulls are the only big dog breed that is banned by the ordinance except for those that were in the city at the time the ordinance went into effect. “We don’t have a problem with any other big dog breed so we dealt with only what was in front of us,” Nichols said.
Pit bull terriers picked up by animal control officers cannot be adopted from the Fayette shelter and may be euthanized. Nichols said a woman who lives near the shelter works to save as many dogs as she can by contacting animal rescue groups.
Comments
fultonian 2 years, 2 months ago
I support the mail carriers completely, however changing laws doesn't change anything. People let their dogs run loose because they don't care about fines, and they don't care about their dogs, they probably wont' even know the fine increased. Does animal control the support they need to pick up stray dogs? Think about this, the punishment for murder can be as high as death, but still every year people are murdered. Increasing punishment isn't the solution. Just like increasing fines for dog owners isn't the solution. Take the dogs away, eventually those people will either learn to control and detain their dogs or they won't have any.
rock1853 2 years, 2 months ago
Amen Mr. Bounds. People choose their own desire to have a big dog over the safety of others. How many of us aren't even comfortable in our own yards? Out of my ignorance I ask why not require curb side for all? Why does he not want to go there?
Luvpuppies 2 years, 2 months ago
I completely agree with Mr. Bounds in that mail carriers and citizens should feel safe walking their neighborhoods. I also agree with others that there are too many pet owners out there that shouldn't own a pet. I see that its not really the animals fault, due to their owners ignorance and lack of caring. I have a large breed dog myself and take care of her as if she were my child. I feel bad for owners who take care of their pets, such as myself, and bad owners and dogs give their breed a bad name. Nonetheless, instead of banning such dogs, why can't their be an ordinance that if you do own a large breed dog, you must have them fenced at all times? No leashes hooked to a tree in the front yard, no running lose, etc.
ellington_support 2 years, 2 months ago
i agree
chad 2 years, 2 months ago
Just go ahead and require curb side for everyone.
Lang5ton 2 years, 2 months ago
Please, no more Bannings and Permits, especially for man's best friend. Make an effort to Enforce the laws/ordinances that are already in place before making any permanent changes.
Lang5ton 2 years, 2 months ago
To add: If a dog gets loose once, maybe it was a mistake and police can issue a written or spoken warning at a minimum (based on the officer's judgment). Repeat offenders should be fined accordingly. Not just pit bulls either (I think they're a wonderful breed) but from German Shepherds and Rottweilers to Chihuahuas and Dachshunds too. When pockets are hit, behaviors will change. My condolences to the attacked mail carrier.
flirtmcgirt 2 years, 2 months ago
HOW DARE YOU! Dachshunds would never disturb the peace. They are a DOG FOR THE PEOPLE!
Luvpuppies 2 years, 2 months ago
I so agree with you!
4dogmomma 2 years, 2 months ago
I don't think AC has enough resources. There needs to be more defined laws that hold all the irresponsible owners at fault, not punish the owners that will/do follow the laws. Perhaps the Fulton Sun will do some research and provide a balanced story on what other local communities are doing - Fayette is not local, and they only but a band-aid on their issues, time will prove that, as it has for other community's who are now reversing their bans. Mexico and Columbia have great laws and enforce them. Does that mean its perfect over there and no dogs do wrong - no, but nothing is perfect, we are human!! I'm so tired of the misinformation and media scare tactics when it comes to some breeds. Well rounded reporting doesn't seem to have a place when someone hears the word pit bull.
I think the mail carriers have been dealing with dogs since the creation of postal mail delivery, what did they do 6 months ago to deliver mail? They have the right to not deliver mail at a home if they do not feel safe at it - WHY are they not enacting that right every time not just when there is a headline? If a person can not get their mail, they are going to have to do something about their dog - that doesn't seem to be that hard of a solution to me???
While I'm at it, chaining/tethering should also be outlawed in the city limits unless the owner is standing there supervising their dog (not a kid supervising but the ADULT)! If that were the case, that kid would not have been able to get to an injured dog left unattended on a tether to get bitten! There are streets in this town, I don't walk on, because tethered/chained dogs are left to close to the side walks and I don't want to get in their space. Simple research will show chaining/tethering an intact animal is number one in bite reports.
I'd also like to see the city implement an animal license program to help 1. increase revenue to support AC in doing their job and 2. have a real registry of the dogs in town, so that when there is a dog at large, there is a clear record of where and who owns the dog. A fee as simple as 5.00 a year per dog that is spay/neuter is not asking to much - increase the fee to 25.00 per dog for unaltered dogs. This also makes sure our community animals are getting their required Rabies. To me that is keeping the citizens safe in the community!!
I'm confident the council members and AC will be able to come up with sound, workable solutions if we all work together! If your neighbor has a loose dog (no matter the breed or size), go talk to them, and ask that they please use a leash - if it doesn't work start calling AC and/or the police and don't stop calling until its resolved - we citizens have to take responsibly doing nothing besides complaining - its not someone elses problem, its everyone's problem! We all need to be part of the solution!
malmark 2 years, 2 months ago
Looks like there is a real problem enforcing the existing leash law. But a dog left tied to a tree is gonna find a way to get loose. That's why I keep mine in a big pen and check it regularly. I will say this though, pit bulls are one of the most aggressive breeds of dogs out there and I don't think it is media hype that they are often in the news. That's why I don't own one, pretty to look at but wouldn't want one in my area. People get bitten by all kinds of dogs everyday but pit bulls are one of the few dogs that will follow on through with killing someone after biting them, that's why they get extra special attention along with Rottweilers and the like. Now before people come on here slamming me for 'hating' pitbulls, if pit bulls aren't that bad well anyone who owns a home and has home insurance knows from shopping around, the insurance people always ask what breeds of dogs you have. They have a list and rotts and pits are on it because they have the proof that rotts and pits are an aggressive species and they've had to pay out in the past when one of their customers was found liable for someone elses injuries. They've got the numbers to prove it. They're good at proving things, remember they're one of the few industries that can discriminate on their customers based on age and sex. So I'm pretty sure they're onto something when they decide they have to chrge more if you keep certain breeds they deem dangerous. I think it would be really draconian though to ban ALL dogs in Fulton. I mean what the heck? There is such a thing as temperament of a dog!
4dogmomma 2 years, 2 months ago
This is where the media hype has played to the negative down fall of this breed. Those who claim that pit bulls are “different” fail to understand that all dog breeds are, in some way, different from each other. That’s what makes them dog breeds! (Besides, many breeds were historically bred to fight other animals. Pit bulls are not unique in this sense.) To put it simply, no matter what kind of dog you have, understanding its breed is the first step toward being a good dog owner. For example, Greyhounds and Whippets were (and still are) bred for “coursing,” chasing and killing small prey like rabbits and squirrels, which miss handle can equal cats and small dogs. But like pit bulls, these dogs still make excellent family pets, when responsible owners own them. By nature, pit bulls are intelligent, fun loving, and affectionate. It’s our job to help them fulfill that potential by being a responsible owner.
Dog/animal aggression is NOT the same thing as People aggression, one does not equal the other, it NEVER has been, that needs to be understood, and unless you take the time to learn about the breed, its easy to believe all the media headlines.
As for the insurance companies - that is also a misinformation. Yes, there are some that choose to not insurance people with large breed dogs. The insurance companies also charge more for teenage drivers saying all teenagers drive badly - is that a true statement? I think not, I have two teenagers and they are wonderful drivers - but we pay high insurance because they are all "lump" together. Just as with dog bites, a handful of bad owners have out ruled people using common sense. Many companies have learn its an "individual" owner/dog thing, most agents are allowed to make their own "local" rules, so if your local agent isn't asking the right questions, call the main company, and skip the local agents of you need too. Each agent should be asking - has your dog bit a person, is your dog on a chain, or keep unsupervised in a pen all day, your agent should meet your dogs, should verify how they are keep safely, then make their decision? That is how you decide risk, not by looks or breed.
None of this changes the fact that we have an issue of many irresponsible dog owners that choose to let their dogs run loose, and as the city moves forward we should all be doing our part to educate ourselves, family, friends and neighbors to the importance of keeping your dogs in control, in your yard safely and humanely contained, so that we may all enjoy walking around our city. I'd like to see Fulton punish the owners (not the dogs) who think they are above the laws, and leave the responsible owners alone.
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