Ergon Energy plead with QLD dog owners after ‘horrific’ attacks

Ergon meter readers are being left with ‘emotional scars’, open flesh wounds, ripped skin and deep bruises as unrestrained dogs wreak havoc. WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT.

WARNING: GRAPHIC

Unrestrained dogs are busting through doors and jumping over fences to unleash traumatising attacks on meter readers, leaving “physical and emotional scars”.

Ergon Energy customer executive general manager Michael Dart was now pleading with owners to keep their pets restrained after 272 dog-related incidents on Queensland electricity meter readers in less than two years.

This includes serious incidents in Mackay, Cairns, Beaudesert, Maryborough, Mount Gravatt, Mount Isa and Slacks Creek with further attacks in Townsville and Rockhampton leading to 11 meter readers requiring medical treatment since February.

Photographs of injuries show open flesh wounds, ripped skin and deep bruises.

Ergon Energy is pleading with Queensland dog owners to properly restrain their pets after more than 270 attacks in the past two years. Picture: Contributed

“Dog attacks can leave physical and emotional scars and we need your help to prevent serious injuries to our people and others simply going about their business in the community,” 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.”

Ergon Energy is pleading with Queensland dog owners to properly restrain their pets after more than 270 attacks in the past two years. Picture: Contributed

Mr Dart said while they understood most owners cared deeply for their dogs, most “traumatic incidents” could have been prevented with a “bit more care”.

Ergon Energy is pleading with Queensland dog owners to properly restrain their pets after more than 270 attacks in the past two years. Picture: Contributed

“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.

Ergon Energy is pleading with Queensland dog owners to properly restrain their pets after more than 270 attacks in the past two years. Picture: Contributed

“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.

“We’ve seen some horrific injuries caused by small dogs with no history of violent behaviour.”

Ergon Energy is pleading with customers to properly restrain their dogs after hundreds of attacks on its electrical meter readers. Picture: Contributed

Ergon has been rolling out digital meters leading to a 30 per cent drop in dog attack injuries but Mr Dart said escaped and roaming dogs were beyond their control.

Ergon Energy is pleading with Queensland dog owners to properly restrain their pets after more than 270 attacks in the past two years. Picture: Contributed

“If you’re not comfortable restraining your dog or there’s no way to secure your dog where it will be visible to our meter readers, you can always register for online self-meter reads to avoid estimated bills,” Mr Dart said.

“You can also use our 24/7 Customer Self Service portal to update your details if you buy a new dog or there are no longer any dogs at your property.”

Originally published as Ergon Energy plead with QLD dog owners after ‘horrific’ attacks