Pictured above: Dog bite to leg in Townsville.
Earlier this year a meter reader was tragically killed after a dog attack in south-east Queensland. Ergon meter readers and field crews are required to assess the safety risks before entering properties to do work for customers and if they cannot see that dogs are suitably restrained, they will not enter. “Despite heightened awareness around safe entry, unfortunately we are still seeing incidents where dogs have been able to escape and pose a threat to our people and others in the community. “In January a Townsville meter reader was left shaken, but thankfully unscathed, after two dogs were able to burst through the front gate. “Dogs aren’t the only threat – our crews are also copping abuse from customers whose properties they won’t enter for safety reasons. “There is no excuse for abuse, and we will not enter properties where meter readers or crews have been verbally or physically threatened,” Ergon's General Manager of Customer Operations Cloe Kernick said. Ergon’s 24/7 Customer Self Service portal is a handy resource for dog owners or anyone with ongoing meter access issues. “Customers can submit online self-meter reads, register for free SMS and email notifications the day before their scheduled meter read, and update their dog details so that we are aware of any changes at their property. “Information provided by customers helps us make an assessment on whether it’s safe to enter a property, so it’s important that these details are accurate. “Safety is everyone’s business and we appreciate the community’s support,” Ms Kernick said.