Dog bite - where do I stand?

I had a policeman knock on my door last year because someone stuck a leaflet through my door and got bitten!

Im not being funny but she must have tried to get her whole bl**dy arm in for my lazy dog to get the better of her. Any how i put a letter catcher up so it didnt happen again but the policeman told me there was nothing he could do, there was no action they could take, but was just letting me know so i could prevent it happening again.

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I don't think its clear cut where you stand tbh. In theory its private property, but unless the laws changed you can still get in trouble. One of ours did quite a bit of damage to a would be burglar years ago. Guy was trying to get in patio doors, dog went for him. Dog got hold of his leg, tore out a chunk when guy tried to run, then pinned him without any further biting. Guy turned out to be drugged up & had previous charges, but the dog still got a warning due to guys leg being mangled. Despite the fact an 11 stone dog didn't need to be in full on attack mode to do a lot of damage with one bite. Hopefully the guy has realised now he's left it will be difficult to prove who's dog has bit him, I'd go with the external box & seal up the door one.
 
I'd say you could have trouble for it, yes. But he has no actual proof, so I reckon you'll be alright!

Do suggest getting a mail box, think you said you'd get one.

I've delivered thousands of leaflets in my time. I always avoid doors that say "no mail" - they throw the leaflets away without looking at them, or get crabby with the company and don't buy from them anyway! Therefore it's a waste of print and my time to do it, when it could be put through a door that may want it. That's my delivery theory!
 
The law in this country is an ass. There is no valid reason for someones hand flailing around through a letterbox unless they are up to no good. I would fully expect my dogs to do something about it, it's their territory and that hand is trespassing!
 
The law might differ in Scotland but my next door neighbour's dog bit someone's fingers when they posted stuff through the letterbox. The police were involved and now she has a mesh thing on the letterbox so it won't happen again.
I never inquired about what would happen if she hadn't done as she was told by the police but I'm assuming if the dog had bitten someone again, the dog would be removed and face being PTS, whilst the owner would've had to go to court. I shall ask her next time I see her :)
 
Get a lockable letter box cover and lock it, put a letter box outside your house. Simples.
I wouldn't want to risk it TBH, it's not actually very fair on people for them to get their fingers bitten in the course of duty.
 
Hmm interesting one this - my old dog bit the postman's finger when he put his hand through the letter box - we were living on a military barracks at the time and he receieved immediate medical attention - as the tooth had broken the skin by his nail - no other marks etc and told my husband and the medical team that it was one of those things and he wasnt bothered. We put up one of those door guards and it never happened again.

However - TWO years later - we got a letter from the Royal Mail's solicitors saying they were going to sue us for not responding to their correspondence and agreeing to their claim for compensation. We had never received any letters/phonecalls etc from them. Forutnately we had third party liability insurance and the insurance company dealt with it and we never heard from them again.

My two current dogs go bezerk when anyone comes to the door - so my current post man puts the post under the door mat and its never been an issue.

I hope it comes to nothing for you as it was incredibly stressful and not an experience I'd wish to repeat again
 
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My goldie Amber can be a bit enthusiastic guarding her house. Fortunately has never had the opportunity to bite as we've got an external box. Yep, leaflets do just get chucked away - most of them are food takeaway ones.
 
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