Dog attacks are a serious problem for SaskPower field employees, particularly meter readers, which is why the company is asking its customers to help reduce that risk this summer.
With each meter reader visiting an average of 180 houses a day, it's not easy to predict what kind of greeting they'll get. SaskPower employees were victims of six dog attacks in 2009, compared to three in 2008. The number of narrowly avoided dog incidents also increased from 12 to 20.
Dennis Zwarych, supervisor of meter reading services, knows all too well the effect a harrowing experience with a dog can have on his crew.
"The after effects of a vicious situation can be very damaging," says Zwarych. "It can be a couple months before staff are ready to come back to work."
Karen Smith, a veteran meter reader, says she'll never forget being attacked at an acreage outside Saskatoon last February. With no dogs in sight, she went to read the meter. Then she heard barking and found herself face to face with three pit bulls.
Luckily, she was carrying her Bite Terminator, an umbrella-like tool used to ward off dogs."It was scary . . . I just thought 'you have to get back to your truck,' so I kept pushing (the Bite Terminator) at the dogs," says Smith.
Luckily, she made it back safely to her truck. Though she survived without any physical injuries, Smith left work in a state of shock.
To help avoid situations like this, SaskPower is asking customers to take the following safety precautions to help prevent injuries: Keep dogs safely inside and away from screen doors if a SaskPower employee is working outside your home. If a SaskPower employee needs access into your home, please keep your dog securely leashed outside or in a separate part of the house. Place BEWARE OF DOG signs on your property. Call SaskPower at 1-888-757-6937 to advise SaskPower that a dog is on your premises.Zwarych says it's also important for dog owners not to underestimate their pets. "Don't detain the animal by holding their collar. We've had situations where animals have actually bit their owners to get away . . . just put the dog in the house," he says.
