New data shows how often Ergon Energy metre readers are attacked by dogs

Ergon Energy meter readers have been victims to more than 100 dog attacks and near misses in 2022, leading to an appeal for owners to be more considerate of workers’ safety. Here’s how many have taken place in the Darling Downs.

The full scale of the threat Ergon Energy meter readers face from dog attacks has been revealed in data released by the retailer.

In the past 12 months Ergon Energy has recorded 142 incidents involving dogs across its 17 Queensland service areas.

Of those, one attack required the victim to be hospitalised while 14 required medical treatment and 34 were treated with first aid.

There were 92 near misses where workers were threatened by dogs but were able to leave the property before they were bitten.

Police are investigating a fatal dog attack on Ison Road, Greenbank were an Energex contactor was killed while trying to read the meter. Picture David Clark

Sadly a Downers Skilltech contractor, Kane Minion, 42, was killed when he entered an Ison Road property in Greenbank, in Brisbane’s south, on Saturday.

He was the only fatality recorded by Ergon Energy in 2022.

Mr Minion had gone to the acreage to read a metre for Energex when he was mauled by two dogs and was unconscious when emergency services arrived at 11am.

He later died at the scene.

The dogs were seized and held at the Logan City Council pond.

Mr Minion’s employer Downer’s Skilltech said he was a valued member of the team.

“Downer is extremely saddened by this tragic loss,” the company said in a statement.

“Downer extends our deepest sympathies to Kane’s family, and we will support them through this incredibly difficult time.”

Ergon Energy Executive General Manager Customer, Michael Dart said the tragic incident reinforced Energy Queensland’s stand on the safety of its workers and contractors.

“We need the community’s help to stop meter readers, power workers and other people simply going about their business in the community from being attacked or feeling threatened by dogs,” he said.

“We’re asking dog owners to check and re-check how well their animal is secured when someone is just trying to do their job at a customer’s property, whether it’s reading or installing a metre, inspecting the electrical service wire or delivering a parcel.”

The data release comes after the Toowoomba Regional Council finalised its investigation into a dog attack at Thiess Park in Darling Heights that left a woman with horrific wounds on August 11.

It took council staff about two months to track down the owner of the dogs that mauled Vyvyan Glover after fled the scene.

“With the assistance of information provided to Council by members of the public, Council officers were able to ascertain the owner of the vehicle involved and subsequently located the dogs believed to be involved at an address in the Toowoomba Region,” Environment and Community Services Portfolio Lead Tim McMahon said.

“The dogs were seized by Council Officers from the address on 13 October, 2022 and the dogs involved have been classed as ‘Regulated Dogs.’”

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Energex workers arrive at the scene where police attend a possible dog attack on Ison Road, Greenbank. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Owners of dangerous or aggressive dog breeds are urged to register their property with Ergon Energy.

The information will prevent workers from entering a property unless they can see any dogs at the address are held in a yard separate from where the meter is and that they are secured to an anchor point by a substantial rope or chain.

Click here for more details on registering your dog.