Ergon is asking for public help while two of its meter readers are recovering from serious injuries after being attacked by loose dogs.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Ergon Energy's General Manager Customer & Market Operations, Cloe Kernick said the incidents at Barcaldine and Booval were a painful reminder of what happens when gates are left open or dogs are able to jump the fence.
"Dog owners need to take responsibility for their pets for the safety of everyone walking in their neighbourhood, including meter readers doing their rounds," Ms Kernick said.
"Dog attacks are traumatic and can have lasting effects on the physical and mental health of the victims and their families - some people are literally scarred for life.
"Every day, meter readers go door-to-door on foot as part of their job, so the risk is always front of mind for them and we hope that dog owners understand the part they play in keeping our people safe."
In January 2019, Ergon Energy introduced a safe entry policy that prevents crews and meter readers from entering yards where there is a record of dogs on site, but it's not clear that they're securely restrained or separated from the work area. Since then there has been a 40% reduction in the number of incidents and injuries.
Ms Kernick said while there has been a vast improvement in the last two years, meter readers are still being bitten by dogs and they needed the community's help to stop horrific incidents.
"We've introduced a free SMS notification service for dog owners, who can register online to receive a text the day before their scheduled meter read," she said.
"This gives them time to prepare for the meter reader's visit to ensure safe entry and avoid a skipped read."
Using Ergon's Customer Self Service portal, customers can also update their dog details, so the meter reader is aware of exactly how many dogs are meant to be on site.
If two dogs are listed and the meter reader can only see that one is secured, they can't guarantee safe entry.
"We understand that many people think their dogs wouldn't hurt a fly and the safe entry policy shouldn't apply to them, but you never know how pets are going to react to strangers and our people can't take any chances because we've seen some horrific injuries caused by small dogs that look harmless," Ms Kernick said.
If meter access is an ongoing issue or they receive a skipped read card, dog owners also have the option of submitting an online self-meter read.
READ ALSO: Break-in at Isa Highlanders dance hall
While you are here, subscribe to our email delivered to your inbox every Tuesday and Friday.
Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
