What happens if a delivery driver hurts my dog if dog is aggressive?

[Anonymous]

If a delivery driver (Fedex, etc) is in our yard and injures our dog because they fear being bitten, can the driver be responsible for the vet bills?

Our dog is all bark and no bite, but I admit she can definitely seem aggressive to delivery drivers. I work from home and sometimes the dog is outside when a driver pulls up. I always go out there immediately and call the dog to me. In the intervening minute or two, most drivers toss a few treats out and the dog is fine. One regular just ignores her while our dog barks at him. Mail carrier honks her horn until I come out.

The other day our stupid dog ran barking at the truck, and when I went out there, the driver was facing her with an aluminum baseball bat. He put the bat down as soon as he saw me. I called the dog, and it was fine.

I get it. I think everyone has a right to self defense against a dog. I STRONGLY PREFER that drivers would have a non-lethal and non-injurious method like pepper spray or an air horn. But I get it.

So, what happens if the driver gets scared and takes a swing? Can they be sued for damages? (In a situation where the dog is NOT actively attacking, just acting aggressive and scary).

[Anonymous]

Keep your dog in the backyard.

[Anonymous]

Jesus, why do you leave your aggressive dog outside? Just keep them inside when you aren't outside to monitor.

[Anonymous]

Well we live in an area where we have a bit of acreage, and nobody fences in their dogs. She is never outside when we are not home.

I am monitoring her. I work by the front window, and if I happen to not see, I hear the truck and or the barking and go right out.

[Anonymous]

What kind of dog is this, OP? Are we talking about a chihuahua or a Doberman?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If a delivery driver (Fedex, etc) is in our yard and injures our dog because they fear being bitten, can the driver be responsible for the vet bills?

Our dog is all bark and no bite, but I admit she can definitely seem aggressive to delivery drivers. I work from home and sometimes the dog is outside when a driver pulls up. I always go out there immediately and call the dog to me. In the intervening minute or two, most drivers toss a few treats out and the dog is fine. One regular just ignores her while our dog barks at him. Mail carrier honks her horn until I come out.

The other day our stupid dog ran barking at the truck, and when I went out there, the driver was facing her with an aluminum baseball bat. He put the bat down as soon as he saw me. I called the dog, and it was fine.

I get it. I think everyone has a right to self defense against a dog. I STRONGLY PREFER that drivers would have a non-lethal and non-injurious method like pepper spray or an air horn. But I get it.

So, what happens if the driver gets scared and takes a swing? Can they be sued for damages? (In a situation where the dog is NOT actively attacking, just acting aggressive and scary).

What is wrong with you?

Yes, if your dog is that aggressive that the delivery driver would feel the need for a baseball bat, they do not get paid enough to deal with you and your clear lack of taking care of your dog!

Drivers should not have to deal with protecting themselves when they come to your home.

Civil suit and you will lose

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What kind of dog is this, OP? Are we talking about a chihuahua or a Doberman?

50 lb mutt. She looks like a lab/shepherd mix, or lab/border collie.

[Anonymous]

Yes, if the delivery person protects himself from your "all bark no bite" dog and injures the dog, then you're responsible for the vet bills. And for his medical bills.

[Anonymous]

Sorry but I try not to be mean on these forums...but honestly OP, this sounds nuts. How can you keep an aggressive dog unleashed outside and expect delivery drivers to not protect themselves??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If a delivery driver (Fedex, etc) is in our yard and injures our dog because they fear being bitten, can the driver be responsible for the vet bills?

Our dog is all bark and no bite, but I admit she can definitely seem aggressive to delivery drivers. I work from home and sometimes the dog is outside when a driver pulls up. I always go out there immediately and call the dog to me. In the intervening minute or two, most drivers toss a few treats out and the dog is fine. One regular just ignores her while our dog barks at him. Mail carrier honks her horn until I come out.

The other day our stupid dog ran barking at the truck, and when I went out there, the driver was facing her with an aluminum baseball bat. He put the bat down as soon as he saw me. I called the dog, and it was fine.

I get it. I think everyone has a right to self defense against a dog. I STRONGLY PREFER that drivers would have a non-lethal and non-injurious method like pepper spray or an air horn. But I get it.

So, what happens if the driver gets scared and takes a swing? Can they be sued for damages? (In a situation where the dog is NOT actively attacking, just acting aggressive and scary).

What is wrong with you?

Yes, if your dog is that aggressive that the delivery driver would feel the need for a baseball bat, they do not get paid enough to deal with you and your clear lack of taking care of your dog!

Drivers should not have to deal with protecting themselves when they come to your home.

Civil suit and you will lose

They can choose to drive away without delivering the package.

I am playing devil's advocate a bit here. My husband is the one who strongly believes the driver would be in the wrong if he hit our dog with a bat (unless he was actually getting attacked) . I'm not so sure, but I would hope a driver wouldn't hit the dog just because she's barking and looking scary. We should probably get a security camera.

[Anonymous]

Be nice to your dog as well as the driver. If you are not right there with it, keep it behind a fence or inside. Your actions are going to get your dog shot one of these days. At 50lbs, the law will not be on your side.

[Anonymous]

Keep your darn dog in the house or the backyard.
YOU Are the problem here not that UPS driver not the Fed ex driver and not the dog, YOU!!!

[Anonymous]

Dogs should not be outside unleashed. It’s terrifying for a dog to run up and bark at you. You are an irresponsible pet owner. Fence your yard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What kind of dog is this, OP? Are we talking about a chihuahua or a Doberman?

50 lb mutt. She looks like a lab/shepherd mix, or lab/border collie.

I don’t care if your dog looks like Jesus on four legs with a tail keep it in the house.

[Anonymous]

You should be paying your own vet bills, as well as apologizing to the delivery driver. They are afraid of dogs for a reason. Dog bites for delivery drivers are very common.

Plus, most delivery carriers are under a lot of stress to deliver quickly. Your expectation that they will have time to throw your dog a treat and make friends is not realistic. There is also a good chance you will stop getting deliveries from this company.