Apr
25
2010
Does the meter reader (power company) have the right to come into your fenced in yard and pepper spray dog?
ESPECIALLY IF YOUR OBVIOUSLY HOME WITH TWO CARS OUT FRONT AND ONE OF THE HOUSE DOORS OPEN, that he had to walk right past? This is a large house dog, and yes he will bark and approach if a stranger comes in the yard…
We NEVER leave him outside when we are not home.
BUT, if you are home does the meter reader person (for the power company)…..
* LEGALLY * have the right to enter the fenced in yard and pepper spray/mace your dog???
WHEN YOUR HOME???
By LF, April 25, 2010 @ 12:25 am
In California, the meter readers have a legal right to access the property so that they can read "their" meter.
Now, if you were obviously home, the person should have knocked on the door first to ask you to put your dog up. You can call the company and complain, that the reader did not knock on your door and you were obviously home. Another thing, while on the phone, ask the customer service rep. to note your account that when the dog is outside you are always home and to knock on the door first… most companies, this message will appear on the hand held device the reader is carrying.
I use to read meters years ago and have always attempted to knock on doors when a dog was in the yard. It is amazing the attitude that a reader receives when they ask the owner to put their dog up. There are times the owner does not hear the door, the reader believes you are not home, goes into the yard, and sprays the dog.. The spray does not seriously injure your dog, just rinse the eyes out and he/she will be fine…
Another thing is that most readers go to about 100+ homes a day… In one day, I would go to just over 500 homes… now if half of those homes have dogs, that is a lot of door knocking LOL… I use to just go into the yards and play with the pooches,,, of course I would test the pooch first to see if I could go in hehe, if not, I would just not read the meter and leave a note on the door if no one answered.
Another idea for you is that on the bill, it should tell you the next day your meter is scheduled to be read, you can mark that day on your calendar so that you know to keep the dog up and watch out for the reader if the dog needs to go outside.
If you question who owns the meter… the utility company does.
Another idea is,,, if your meter is on the side of your house and can be viewed from the front,,, call the company and ask them if they can turn the meter… This works for gas meters only though..
I hope this helps.
By 007, April 25, 2010 @ 12:25 am
it is not right, how dare that reader do it
By a h, April 25, 2010 @ 12:25 am
No they don’t. I would contact the police
By Peyton, April 25, 2010 @ 12:25 am
Unfortunately yes he has the right to do it..but I think it is totally wrong. You can however contact the company and ask that they inform you of each visit and must be accompained by the home owner.
I hope your dog is okay. I am so sorry you are having to go through this.
Good Luck
By Karen W, April 25, 2010 @ 12:25 am
IF you have fenced in the easement, or the meter cannot be read from the fence (many meter readers I know, use a small telescope to do so), then yes they have the right to come in and read your meter.
As far as pepper spraying the dog goes, they probably also have the right to defend themselves. It’s too bad he didn’t ring the doorbell first however.
Perhaps your power company can let you know in advance what days the meter will be read, so you can keep your pup indoors. Sorry for his misery, after all he probably only thought he was defending you and his "turf" against an intruder.
By Jezzter, April 25, 2010 @ 12:25 am
I assume if they are threatend but if your dog is hurt or blinded by it am sure you can sue them for the vet visits. I suggest you go to your vet immeditely and bring it up to them and ask them if its right. if it hurts us humanes that much to get pepper sprayed imagine a poor dog. what they did was very wrong. and to get legal infornation call the company 9i hope you got that jerks name)
By bassetnut, April 25, 2010 @ 12:25 am
You would have to check the laws in your area.
I would certainly complain, but if the meter reader is used to there being no dog in the yard he may not have expected to see one there. It’s possible that he was in the yard before he noticed the dog there. They do have the right to enter your yard, and the right to defend themselves if they think they’re in danger.
By mydogisontop, April 25, 2010 @ 12:25 am
im not sure, but if this helps, its an offense to damage anothers property, (if a dog is considered property). But I think if the meter guy comes again, go over and tell him your dog wont hurt him.
By itsjustme, April 25, 2010 @ 12:25 am
yes, legally they do have the right to do that. expecially if the dog shows any type of aggressive behavior. your elect. co. should have told you that they will have to come behind your fence to read your meter. i would suggest moving your fence back behind the meter..thats what we did..just so the meter reader could get to our meter when our 4 dogs are outside.
By OhKatie!, April 25, 2010 @ 12:25 am
I’m not sure of the legality here, but it hardly seems like a smart or necessary thing to do. If I were you I would call the company that he works for (make sure you get his name), and it may not be a bad idea to contact the police. It’s one thing if the man were suprised by your dog, but I wonder why he wouldn’t have looked around before entering your yard. It’s rare that dogs wait until a person is inside the yard before they react, so if your pooch is a barker, I would assume he made some kind of notice that he was there before the gentleman entered the yard. For the future, definitely look into getting a "Beware of Dog" sign. It seems silly, but this guy obviously needed a clue!
By Cintia, April 25, 2010 @ 12:25 am
If a dog threatens a meter reader in any way. you better believe they can spray it. Better that, than you have a law suit for personal injury and then have to euthanize the dog. That’s what happens if your dog bites anyone.
By kiersysmom, April 25, 2010 @ 12:25 am
I don’t know if it varies state by state, but in our state/town Yes – if they are feeling threatened by any animal they have the right. Check with your cities codes and if they don’t then I would make a formal complaint and take the necessary steps to get the satisfaction you are looking for. Good luck. I hope your dog is ok.
By Aaron, April 25, 2010 @ 12:25 am
My deceased dog that I used to have once bit a meter reader guy. We gave him a bandaid and atibiotic and he didn’t sue us….but no, I don’t think what he did to your dog is right or legal…
By puppyluv, April 25, 2010 @ 12:25 am
I agree with LF. If you were home they could of knocked on your door. I would of been really upset, too.
By jackie, April 25, 2010 @ 12:25 am
no