Energex has expressed concern over 272 dog-related incidents affecting Queensland electricity meter readers in less than two years.
Executive General Manager, Customer at Energex, Michael Dart called on dog owners to do their bit to keep communities safe.
“There have been some shocking injuries caused by family pets that have escaped their restraints, jumped fences, busted down doors, or even been deliberately released after meter readers entered properties,” Mr Dart said.
“If you walked a mile in a meter reader’s shoes you would understand the importance of people taking responsibility for their pets,” he said.
Mr Dart said dog attacks could leave lasting physical and emotional scars.
“We understand that in most cases dog owners care deeply for their animals and take full responsibility for them, but if some dog owners had shown a bit more care and taken precautions, these traumatic incidents could have been prevented,” he said.
The Executive General Manager said that, since February, 11 Queensland meter readers had required medical treatment after being bitten by dogs, including two in Townsville and Rockhampton, while other serious incidents occurred in Beaudesert, Cairns, Mackay, Maryborough, Mount Gravatt, Mount Isa and Slacks Creek.
“The leading cause of the most recent injuries was dogs escaping confinement,” he said.
“We’ve had a case where a dog charged at a door with such force it broke off its hinges and we’ve seen plenty of examples of dogs being able to jump fences or dig their way under palings.
“Even if you think your dog wouldn’t hurt a fly, you can’t predict how it will react in the company of strangers, especially when it’s territorial,” Mr Dart said.
