Awkward Situation

debodun

debodun

SF VIP
Location
way upstate in New York, USA
I work a volunteer job bringing food to shut-ins (a.k.a. meals-on-wheels). On July 5th, there was a new client on the route. When I finally found the house, there were signs out on the four foot tall chain link fence surrounding the property: "NO TRESPASSING" and "BEWARE OF DOG". There was a bungee-type chain on the gate. Assuming the meal delivery was previously arranged with the client, and it was understood that someone would be bringing food, I removed the bungee holding the gate closed and went to the door and rang the doorbell and knocked, but no one came to the door even after a minute.

If no one comes to the door withing a reasonable time, we are instructed to then try to open the door and check on the client (perform a welfare check). I opened the door about a foot (but didn't actually go inside) and called "HELLO! HELLO!" When I did that, a large dog that looked like a boxer came bounding toward the door and nipped me on the arm near where I was holding the doorknob (not serious - didn't even bleed, it was more like a superficial scrape), but the dog continued to snarl, bark and snap at me and jump all over. It's body was half-way out of the doorway. I had put my foot on its chest and shove to get it back inside so I could close the door. During all this, the client never appeared, replied or made their presence known. I reported the incident to the meal service.

On Monday (July 8th) I received an email from the meal service that I was to go to back to the house. If the gate was open I was to go to the door to deliver the meal. When I arrived, the gate was indeed open, so trustingly I proceeded to the door, but as soon as I knocked, I heard the dog barking and it was jumping against the door inside. Now aware of the dog's less than friendly nature, I made a 180 and got back in the car and proceeded to the next client. Of course, I reported this to the meal service. I don't deliver on Tuesdays, but on Wednesday the client's name was crossed off the delivery route list. It just made me wonder what is going on there.

What would you have done?
 

My husband was a courier for many years.
He saw all manner of things and people answering the doors in all states.
Dogs were always an issue and while we are pet friendly people it was recognised in that industry it simply wasn't worth the risk.
If it had been me, I woupd most likely not have returned.
You're a braver person than me!
 

I try to give people the benefit of the doubt and that the meal service reinforced the instructions to the client. Other clients on the route have pets, but they either confine them so they cannot interact with the drivers, or the dogs are friendly. This dog acted like it wanted to tear my face off.
 
I think you did the right thing by leaving. You shouldn't have to risk your life because of a dog. Dogs can be dangerous and it sounds like that one is. I love animals but still, I wouldn't have gone in the house the second time either.
 
debodun said:
I work a volunteer job bringing food to shut-ins (a.k.a. meals-on-wheels). On July 5th, there was a new client on the route. When I finally found the house, there were signs out on the four foot tall chain link fence surrounding the property: "NO TRESPASSING" and "BEWARE OF DOG". There was a bungee-type chain on the gate. Assuming the meal delivery was previously arranged with the client, and it was understood that someone would be bringing food, I removed the bungee holding the gate closed and went to the door and rang the doorbell and knocked, but no one came to the door even after a minute.

If no one comes to the door withing a reasonable time, we are instructed to then try to open the door and check on the client (perform a welfare check). I opened the door about a foot (but didn't actually go inside) and called "HELLO! HELLO!" When I did that, a large dog that looked like a boxer came bounding toward the door and nipped me on the arm near where I was holding the doorknob (not serious - didn't even bleed, it was more like a superficial scrape), but the dog continued to snarl, bark and snap at me and jump all over. It's body was half-way out of the doorway. I had put my foot on its chest and shove to get it back inside so I could close the door. During all this, the client never appeared, replied or made their presence known. I reported the incident to the meal service.

On Monday (July 8th) I received an email from the meal service that I was to go to back to the house. If the gate was open I was to go to the door to deliver the meal. When I arrived, the gate was indeed open, so trustingly I proceeded to the door, but as soon as I knocked, I heard the dog barking and it was jumping against the door inside. Now aware of the dog's less than friendly nature, I made a 180 and got back in the car and proceeded to the next client. Of course, I reported this to the meal service. I don't deliver on Tuesdays, but on Wednesday the client's name was crossed off the delivery route list. It just made me wonder what is going on there.

What would you have done?
Click to expand...
I would have done the same thing you did.
 
debodun said:
I work a volunteer job bringing food to shut-ins (a.k.a. meals-on-wheels). On July 5th, there was a new client on the route. When I finally found the house, there were signs out on the four foot tall chain link fence surrounding the property: "NO TRESPASSING" and "BEWARE OF DOG". There was a bungee-type chain on the gate. Assuming the meal delivery was previously arranged with the client, and it was understood that someone would be bringing food, I removed the bungee holding the gate closed and went to the door and rang the doorbell and knocked, but no one came to the door even after a minute.

If no one comes to the door withing a reasonable time, we are instructed to then try to open the door and check on the client (perform a welfare check). I opened the door about a foot (but didn't actually go inside) and called "HELLO! HELLO!" When I did that, a large dog that looked like a boxer came bounding toward the door and nipped me on the arm near where I was holding the doorknob (not serious - didn't even bleed, it was more like a superficial scrape), but the dog continued to snarl, bark and snap at me and jump all over. It's body was half-way out of the doorway. I had put my foot on its chest and shove to get it back inside so I could close the door. During all this, the client never appeared, replied or made their presence known. I reported the incident to the meal service.

On Monday (July 8th) I received an email from the meal service that I was to go to back to the house. If the gate was open I was to go to the door to deliver the meal. When I arrived, the gate was indeed open, so trustingly I proceeded to the door, but as soon as I knocked, I heard the dog barking and it was jumping against the door inside. Now aware of the dog's less than friendly nature, I made a 180 and got back in the car and proceeded to the next client. Of course, I reported this to the meal service. I don't deliver on Tuesdays, but on Wednesday the client's name was crossed off the delivery route list. It just made me wonder what is going on there.

What would you have done?
Click to expand...
Where have you been, mi
 
The two signs should have been signs not to open the gate.
You're lucky you weren't really injured.
I was a process server for 13 years & I learned how some people enjoy using their dogs to frighten people.
 
when I lived in devon uk. I did posting for a company the books where heavy so I borrowed a trolly
which was great -even tho I was still in my 2os 'so off I went up hill down hill ' then at the very top behind high
gates I saw this old manor house ' so I opened the gates and boy did they creek ' just as I was going in neighbour called out
across the way 'dont bother love she said no one lives in there now ' but I thought oh well here now less books to trug around
I went up the steps to a massive wooden door saw someone thro the stained glass and knocked 'lady came oldish but very polite
she took the book and thanked me closed the door 'walked out the big gates' lady opposite said its been derelict for years -will I said
the old lady took it I said- really how strange is that she said ' walking up her path , so iam hurrying down the hill thinking it was a ghost
omg it was ………..so I gave up the p/t job ..ewwwww
 
Of course. We are obligated to get a meal to a client if they are on the list. And as I mentioned, someone had to arrange the meal delivery and they are to make sure things are in order. Apparently there was some mis-communiation somewhere between either the meal service, the client's case worker or the client or all around. Maybe the client did not understand fully what "confining the dog" meant and may have thought it meant just have it in the house and not outside. As to shoving the dog back inside with my foot - it was the only way I could think of to get it back behind the door and my hands were full with the trays of food.
 
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debodun said:
Of course. We are obligated to get a meal to a client if they are on the list. And as I mentioned, someone had to arrange the meal delivery and they are to make sure things are in order. Apparently there was some mis-communiation somewhere between either the meal service, the client's case worker or the client or all around. Maybe the client did not understand fully what "confining the dog" meant and may have thought it meant just have it in the house and not outside. As to shoving the dog back inside with my foot - it was the only way I could think of to get it back behind the door and my hands were full with the trays of food.
Click to expand...

Um....OK. You can explain that to the E.R. doc while he's stitching you up.
 
jujube said:
I'm very surprised that the meal service didn't want to follow up on the dog bite. Even if it wasn't a penetrative bite, you described it as a "scrape" that means that something like rabies could still have been transmitted.

Most companies don't pass up on something like that for fear of legal problems should later complications arise.
Click to expand...
When I reported it, the meal service agent kept asking if I needed to see a doctor. If I went to a doctor with that little nip, I would have been laughed out of the ofice.
 

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I don't know where some members get the idea that I keep asking the same questions over and over. Do they keep a journal or something? To my knowledge, this is the first time I posted about this situation.
 
I think if I had been in your situation, I might have gone up to the door the first time if I thought that meals were a pre-arragned thing and the client was expecting me. If I had not gotten an answer after knocking, I would have waited a little bit, knocked again and if that didn't get results, I would have gone back to my vehicle and made a call to the meal service for further instructions. Maybe have them call the client to see what's up. I would not have opened the door I don't think.

Allthough it's easy to say that in hindsight. At the time, it's a different story.
 
Generally speaking, not too sure I understand why folks need to seek advice from other forum members, unless it's about a very specific and practical matter. I've been relying on myself for so long that asking strangers for help is usually not on my radar!
 

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