By cassie0216 - 02/02/2016 04:17 - United States - Chula Vista

Today, my mailman refused to deliver my mail for an undetermined amount of time, because my 8 year-old, arthritic dog, who can barely walk, "made him feel threatened." FML
I agree, your life sucks 21 768
You deserved it 1 652

cassie0216 tells us more.

The fact is, my wife was in the front yard with my dog when this happened. She apologized that my dog was in the way and the mailman still refused to give her the mail. I totally understand the position of the mailman. And I did actually move my mailbox last night. I'm just upset with the way he handled the situation because we try our best to keep the dogs in our back yard around the time the mail is going to be delivered. It just happened that my dog really had to pee!

Top comments

Complain to his manager every day that he doesn't deliver your mail. Eventually they'll switch his route or he'll start delivering your mail again.

drayloon 50

I can see where he's coming from, dogs do love to chase pussy after all

Comments

I am a mailman. if I had a nickel for every time one of my coworkers was bitten by a dog, I would no longer need to work for the USPS. We are instructed to avoid any potential interactions with dogs at all costs. Your dog may be arthritic but knowing our luck he could get a shot of adrenaline and tear our ankle tendons with one bite putting us out of work for a very long time.

Just an FYI. Mail carriers are not allowed to deliver mail to homes where dogs are out. It doesn't matter if your dog is friendly or not. How is the mailman supposed to know he won't get bitten? It's your job as a dog owner to keep your dog inside or behind a fence when the carrier is there. In fact, most cities require you to either leash or fence in any dog. How many stories do we have to hear about people being attacked by an animal and the owner saying well he was always a nice dog. Also if he were to be bitten by your dog, he would get written up by his supervisors for knowingly entering a yard where a dog is visibly out. So he should risk his job because you can't properly take care of your animal? Know all the facts before you start placing blame on others.

Exactly.. Another good point! why tf is this getting down votes?

Because people don't understand. And are too blinded by the "my dog wouldn't hurt a fly" additive, so they just blame the mailman for being lazy. Ignorance is bliss :/

Helldemon 32

Or maybe because the OP replied and many seem to be ignoring it while insulting OP?

it could also be because you wrote "know all the facts before you start putting blame on others" after putting blame on the dog owner. do you really know all the facts?

Jwaye2 7

Ive always been curious about this. Hear about it all the time. Do you Americans have your mailboxes inside your yards? or do you just leave your front gates open for dogs to get out. You almost never hear about a mailman getting bitten by a dog in Australia. Our mailboxes are either on or outside the fence so there is no reason for the mailman to get near the dogs. Or you could just train your dogs not to bite people. I have a Pitbull x Bullarab and he has never tried to bite anyone. Hes trained to look and sound intimidating, he would only bite if you directly threatened him or tried to enter my house or shed without me there.

Some people in the US have mail slots in the front door instead of mailboxes or small box things right next to the door. Also many mailmen/women refuse to deliver mail to homes with a dog outside, friendly or not. I guess it's because of safety precautions most of the time but some refuse because they can get out of work/dislike dogs NOTE- I didn't say fear dogs. I mean some just don't like dogs in general

Over here in the Netherlands, everyone is required by law to have a mailbox by the street, since technically the mailman is not allowed to enter private property. However, it is now a law that is actively enforced as far as I know and plenty of people just ignore it. Most people probably don't even know about it.

Even an 8 year old arthritic dog has teeth. And just because a dog has arthritis doesn't mean it won't chase or bite someone

What a wuss of a mail carrier!!! How rude!! That sucks because now you have to go get it at the post office if I'm not mistaken...?? Hang in there OP!!

sneakiki 9

I've had a postman mace my dogs who were both behind the back fence. He would consistently walk along the fence-line instead of using the sidewalk and would complain about the dogs threatening him even when they were inside the house with me at the time.

bearbear120 27

I'm pretty sure he can get in a lot of trouble for macing them if there in a fence. You should file a report with the post office and the police. I really hope your dogs are okay.

My bad worked for the post office. If they get bitten by a dog they get fired. They are told not to deliver to houses with dangerous seeming dogs. Even if your dog cannot move well, if he growled or barked excessively, the mailman may pass up your house in the interest of keeping his job.