Interesting Dilemma for your Perusal...

[Fala]

A good friend of ours stopped by to see us a couple days ago. He works for a central Texas municipality that I won't mention.

He works for that city's electric utility division.

Anyway, as soon as we saw him, we asked why they didn't have him pulling double duty, clearing up the Harvey mess.

He lifted his right hand and left arm....massive bandages. He said that he was laid off duty to recoup from severe injuries.

Ok...so what the hell happened????

Apparently, he is that municipalities lead detective whose job it is to investigate homes/ companies/ facilities who they suspect are STEALING the city's electric services.

OK...here's the story....they had him climbing over a residential fence, ninja-like, in the dark of night to look at their meter.

He said they'd tampered so much with the outer casing that it was all bent up and he was trying to "quietly" tamp it back so that it could be closed.

He was in their backyard about 10 minutes and not at all happy about how much noise he may have been making.

Well...somebody opened the back door of the home and he was set upon by two, very pissed-off and vicious PIT BULL dogs!!!

Helluva fight. He fought back best he could but they took some skin off him before he could go back over the gate.

He told us that the municipality had taught him how to handle dog attacks...he had a can of pepper spray on him but the dogs were on him before he could even get to it!

I am appalled that any city would send ANY employee to sneak onto properties at night to do ANYTHING.

What if the owner came out with a gun?

All I can say is I hope they pay these guys well.

Anyway, he said that within minutes, the police, ambulance and animal control rolled up on the scene.

The dogs were taken into quarantine. I also feel so bad for these dogs...breaks my heart.

My question is...and we'll never know...did the owner's KNOW this city employee was out there and sic the dogs on him?

Or...did they just let them out to pee...and the dogs just did what they're trained to do.

Sad situation either way.

I think that municipality should NEVER put their employees in danger like this. period.

I'm open for any other POV's on this...thanks.

 

[bronzeage]

Your friend is an idiot. At any point in this adventure, he could have been shot dead, instead of attacked by dogs.

In any case, this kind of work can be done during the day, simply by knocking on the door and saying, "I'm here to read your meter." If the lights are on, and they refuse, the power company can disconnect the house at the transformer.

Seriously? Climbing fences on private property in the dark? This is the kind of guy who murders a woman's husband because she promised him sex for the rest of his life.

 

[Saint Peter]

Hi Bronze!


Long time no see.

 

[neci]

A good friend of ours stopped by to see us a couple days ago. He works for a central Texas municipality that I won't mention.

He works for that city's electric utility division.

Anyway, as soon as we saw him, we asked why they didn't have him pulling double duty, clearing up the Harvey mess.

He lifted his right hand and left arm....massive bandages. He said that he was laid off duty to recoup from severe injuries.

Ok...so what the hell happened????

Apparently, he is that municipalities lead detective whose job it is to investigate homes/ companies/ facilities who they suspect are STEALING the city's electric services.

OK...here's the story....they had him climbing over a residential fence, ninja-like, in the dark of night to look at their meter.

He said they'd tampered so much with the outer casing that it was all bent up and he was trying to "quietly" tamp it back so that it could be closed.

He was in their backyard about 10 minutes and not at all happy about how much noise he may have been making.

Well...somebody opened the back door of the home and he was set upon by two, very pissed-off and vicious PIT BULL dogs!!!

Helluva fight. He fought back best he could but they took some skin off him before he could go back over the gate.

He told us that the municipality had taught him how to handle dog attacks...he had a can of pepper spray on him but the dogs were on him before he could even get to it!

I am appalled that any city would send ANY employee to sneak onto properties at night to do ANYTHING.

What if the owner came out with a gun?

All I can say is I hope they pay these guys well.

Anyway, he said that within minutes, the police, ambulance and animal control rolled up on the scene.

The dogs were taken into quarantine. I also feel so bad for these dogs...breaks my heart.

My question is...and we'll never know...did the owner's KNOW this city employee was out there and sic the dogs on him?

Or...did they just let them out to pee...and the dogs just did what they're trained to do.

Sad situation either way.

I think that municipality should NEVER put their employees in danger like this. period.

I'm open for any other POV's on this...thanks.

my electric meter is outside the fence. if you hop the fence, please expect to be mauled. in texas, that city employee could have been legally shot, no fault on the home owners, as the employee did not announce himself first, before going onto gated and fenced land. who ever told him to hop that fence in the dead of night should be fired. if he chose to hop it himself in the dead of night, he is an idiot. (sorry, just my opinion.)

 

[sweepthefloor]

I think it's sad and ridiculous for any person to risk entering private property in the middle of the night.

I hope they don't put the dogs down for doing their dog work.

 

[Bert Notorius]

with a good lawyer
he won't need
to be climbing fences
anymore.

 

[Fala]

Your friend is an idiot. At any point in this adventure, he could have been shot dead, instead of attacked by dogs.

In any case, this kind of work can be done during the day, simply by knocking on the door and saying, "I'm here to read your meter." If the lights are on, and they refuse, the power company can disconnect the house at the transformer.

Seriously? Climbing fences on private property in the dark? This is the kind of guy who murders a woman's husband because she promised him sex for the rest of his life.

Yes, Bronze....he's been an employee there for 30 or so years. He's well paid, I know this.

I think the situation was that this home was only doing their dirty deed in the evening.

Also! Hi Bronze! Missed ya round here, doll!

But still, I agree with you. Just knock on the f'n door. I'm not at all happy about how they do their "investigations". It's ridiculous. and dangerous.

 

[Fala]

my electric meter is outside the fence. if you hop the fence, please expect to be mauled. in texas, that city employee could have been legally shot, no fault on the home owners, as the employee did not announce himself first, before going onto gated and fenced land. who ever told him to hop that fence in the dead of night should be fired. if he chose to hop it himself in the dead of night, he is an idiot. (sorry, just my opinion.)

You are EXACTLY correct, neci! This is TEXAS....damn, it's not like they were after a serial killer or something. criminy.

 

[bronzeage]

Yes, Bronze....he's been an employee there for 30 or so years. He's well paid, I know this.

I think the situation was that this home was only doing their dirty deed in the evening.

Also! Hi Bronze! Missed ya round here, doll!

But still, I agree with you. Just knock on the f'n door. I'm not at all happy about how they do their "investigations". It's ridiculous. and dangerous.

This only makes it worse. I can see a kid being talked into this ninja fantasy, but a 50-something man crawling around in the dark? I think he is doing this on his own initiative and if his supervisors knew his techniques, it would all be shut down in a hurry. Imagine what the corporate legal department would say.

Nice to see you too.

 

[Fala]

I think it's sad and ridiculous for any person to risk entering private property in the middle of the night.

I hope they don't put the dogs down for doing their dog work.

that's the first question I asked, stf. No, the dogs were just quarantined to be sure no rabies were involved. I don't understand that tho, as I always thought the animal would have to be put down to inspect it's brain.

But...maybe the owners had papers that their pets had been vac'd and they just took them in for observation.

Yes, I totally felt so bad for these dogs. My friend fought back fiercely and I'm sure they were injured and traumatized.

I'm so fucking pissed off about this and I think I'm going to shoot off a letter ONLINE to this damned city...for ALL to see. grr

 

[Fala]

This only makes it worse. I can see a kid being talked into this ninja fantasy, but a 50-something man crawling around in the dark? I think he is doing this on his own initiative and if his supervisors knew his techniques, it would all be shut down in a hurry. Imagine what the corporate legal department would say.

Nice to see you too.

Bronze! It was his super sitting in the car two doors down who called all the emergency people! This is what they do! The city taught them how to do it!

I know??? right?

Bronze...hang around here for a while..we all miss you.

 

[bronzeage]

Bronze! It was his super sitting in the car two doors down who called all the emergency people! This is what they do! The city taught them how to do it!

I know??? right?

Bronze...hang around here for a while..we all miss you.

This is one of those "Waddyoo mean, we, whiteman?" situations

 

[Fala]

with a good lawyer
he won't need
to be climbing fences
anymore.

Yeah...but you know how these things go...you sign a disclaimer/disclosure for anything to keep your job.

pathetic.

However, if he has any permanent damage in nerves or tendons that will affect him for life...he needs to pursue your advice.

He had stitches everywhere....fingers, hand, arm. I would have shit my britches to be in his shoes at that moment.

omg.

 

[Saint Peter]

Was he wearing the goofy orange flame resistant coveralls, rubber gloves, proper footwear, and dark green face shield?

OSHA has rules about doing hot work.

 

[Fala]

Was he wearing the goofy orange flame resistant coveralls, rubber gloves, proper footwear, and dark green face shield?

OSHA has rules about doing hot work.

hahaha...no. ya goof!

 

[LIVINRFANTASIES]

Denny

Your friend is an idiot. At any point in this adventure, he could have been shot dead, instead of attacked by dogs.

In any case, this kind of work can be done during the day, simply by knocking on the door and saying, "I'm here to read your meter." If the lights are on, and they refuse, the power company can disconnect the house at the transformer.

Seriously? Climbing fences on private property in the dark? This is the kind of guy who murders a woman's husband because she promised him sex for the rest of his life.

I agree.
Also while we lived in Florida we saw many Pit Bull dogs. Some very friendly, some not, and some friendly dogs that ate the owner's other smaller dogs and nearly killed their children.
Pit Bull dogs may be harmless but they have been bred to be very protective and kill anything or anyone.
Many redneck kids where we lived hauled their Pit Bull dogs in the back of their pick up trucks in small cages to show off. If one parked next to your car while you were near, some Pit Bull dogs would grin and want to lick your hand. Most wanted to growl and bite your hand off.
I like dogs. I also like alligators. I don't want to get close to a Pit Bull or an alligator.

my electric meter is outside the fence. if you hop the fence, please expect to be mauled. in texas, that city employee could have been legally shot, no fault on the home owners, as the employee did not announce himself first, before going onto gated and fenced land. who ever told him to hop that fence in the dead of night should be fired. if he chose to hop it himself in the dead of night, he is an idiot. (sorry, just my opinion.)

Both in Florida and here in Illinois our electric meters are read at the home office electronically.
According to many parts of Texas laws for now no one is allowed out from midnite to around 5 AM. Arrest anyone or shoot on site.
The only electric co. employee I've seen work at night were repairmen doing emergency work. If that meter were tampered with any meter reader would know in daylight. They all have a seal attached. Seal broken, turn off power and find out why!

 

[Fala]

Was he wearing the goofy orange flame resistant coveralls, rubber gloves, proper footwear, and dark green face shield?

OSHA has rules about doing hot work.

Also, OSHA seems to only come down on independents. State/city/county pretty much make up their own rules, don't they?

 

[sweepthefloor]

that's the first question I asked, stf. No, the dogs were just quarantined to be sure no rabies were involved. I don't understand that tho, as I always thought the animal would have to be put down to inspect it's brain.

But...maybe the owners had papers that their pets had been vac'd and they just took them in for observation.

Yes, I totally felt so bad for these dogs. My friend fought back fiercely and I'm sure they were injured and traumatized.

I'm so fucking pissed off about this and I think I'm going to shoot off a letter ONLINE to this damned city...for ALL to see. grr

I would be pissed if I were your friend and they asked him to complete this dangerous mission in the middle of the night. I always want to write letters when I am angry too! Even if I don't send the letters, it helps me to feel better. I would make sure your friend was ordered to do this before actually sending the letter.

In my area, any dogs that attack another dog or person are put down, but I don't think it has to do with Rabies or anything, they just put them down for being aggressive.

My Father's little sweet mutt was attacked and killed by a shop neighbor's Pit Bull, and it was all really sad. There is a big problem in our area with Pit Bulls being trained to fight, kind of like a fight club for dogs. I felt bad for the Pit Bull because it was surely trained to attack, but the only option was to put the dog down. They don't have 'retraining' programs, or rescue for these fight club dogs. My Father would have put the dog down himself if the city didn't do it. Regardless of my pity for the Pitty, my Father's pain was way worse losing his mutty who was ripped to shreds in front of his eyes. He tried getting the Pitty off the mutty with a baseball bat but the mutty still died later that day. I know, off topic but it just reminded me.

It is a totally different scenario when the dogs were defending their turf in the darkness of the night. I am pretty sure these dogs will recover and am just glad they let them live.

 

[Saint Peter]

Also, OSHA seems to only come down on independents. State/city/county pretty much make up their own rules, don't they?

Until somebody dies.

 

[Fala]

I agree.
Also while we lived in Florida we saw many Pit Bull dogs. Some very friendly, some not, and some friendly dogs that ate the owner's other smaller dogs and nearly killed their children.
Pit Bull dogs may be harmless but they have been bred to be very protective and kill anything or anyone.
Many redneck kids where we lived hauled their Pit Bull dogs in the back of their pick up trucks in small cages to show off. If one parked next to your car while you were near, some Pit Bull dogs would grin and want to lick your hand. Most wanted to growl and bite your hand off.
I like dogs. I also like alligators. I don't want to get close to a Pit Bull or an alligator.



....and chihuahuas....in the words of our late, beloved John Kelso here at the Austin American Statesman.....

"they lure you in with those big, brown eyes....and then HIT YOU LIKE A SINGER SEWING MACHINE".

LOL. I miss that dude...immensely.

 

[LIVINRFANTASIES]

Denny

Until somebody dies.

Then it's too late for the dead guy!
Fala asked for opinions and we gave.
I always hate to talk down Pit Bull dogs. They are like humans, the bad ones make the rest look bad.

 

[sweepthefloor]

Bronze...hang around here for a while..we all miss you.

ditto.

This is one of those "Waddyoo mean, we, whiteman?" situations

also hello.

 

[LIVINRFANTASIES]

I agree.
Also while we lived in Florida we saw many Pit Bull dogs. Some very friendly, some not, and some friendly dogs that ate the owner's other smaller dogs and nearly killed their children.
Pit Bull dogs may be harmless but they have been bred to be very protective and kill anything or anyone.
Many redneck kids where we lived hauled their Pit Bull dogs in the back of their pick up trucks in small cages to show off. If one parked next to your car while you were near, some Pit Bull dogs would grin and want to lick your hand. Most wanted to growl and bite your hand off.
I like dogs. I also like alligators. I don't want to get close to a Pit Bull or an alligator.



....and chihuahuas....in the words of our late, beloved John Kelso here at the Austin American Statesman.....

"they lure you in with those big, brown eyes....and then HIT YOU LIKE A SINGER SEWING MACHINE".

LOL. I miss that dude...immensely

Our oldest son is a mailman. He's been bitten by a few Chihuahuas that "won't bite" but never by a Pit Bull or other larger dog.
Taco Bell dogs and poodles agrivated me most at RV parks when old people have them tied outside or sitting at an open window....... Yip Yip 24/7!

 

[Fala]

I would be pissed if I were your friend and they asked him to complete this dangerous mission in the middle of the night. I always want to write letters when I am angry too! Even if I don't send the letters, it helps me to feel better. I would make sure your friend was ordered to do this before actually sending the letter.

In my area, any dogs that attack another dog or person are put down, but I don't think it has to do with Rabies or anything, they just put them down for being aggressive.

My Father's little sweet mutt was attacked and killed by a shop neighbor's Pit Bull, and it was all really sad. There is a big problem in our area with Pit Bulls being trained to fight, kind of like a fight club for dogs. I felt bad for the Pit Bull because it was surely trained to attack, but the only option was to put the dog down. They don't have 'retraining' programs, or rescue for these fight club dogs. My Father would have put the dog down himself if the city didn't do it. Regardless of my pity for the Pitty, my Father's pain was way worse losing his mutty who was ripped to shreds in front of his eyes. He tried getting the Pitty off the mutty with a baseball bat but the mutty still died later that day. I know, off topic but it just reminded me.

It is a totally different scenario when the dogs were defending their turf in the darkness of the night. I am pretty sure these dogs will recover and am just glad they let them live.

Yes, doll...exactly. That's why I did not want to identify this municipality. I don't do knee-jerk reactions. I like to think things thru...however, I may spout off like I'm gonna! ....sometimes soothes the soul, yano!

What happened to your Father's beloved dog AND your Father is a tragedy.
I have tears in my eyes.

I've always felt that a pet is your responsibility...as much as one's own child is. You teach them right from wrong....

Children are taken from their parents all the time, destined for foster homes when the parents are incapable of being responsible.

DOGS should also be.

kisses to you, sweepthefloor

 

[EternalFantasies]

I think that friend's story needs double-checking; especially if he got a threesome for consolation.