Amazon Drivers and Dog Tasers

[Ben]

So here's a new one on me, or maybe the Amazon driver was making it up. A driver I haven't seen before delivered a package today, and as usual with all delivery drivers, Steve walks up wagging his tail in hopes of a belly rub, or thanks to the UPS and Fedex drivers spoiling him, a dog biscuit. I happened to be outside and told the driver not to worry, other than Steve maybe wanting to go for a ride with him. No issues, and he spent a bunch of time playing with Steve, but he also said he was glad to meet friendly dogs, because not all of them are.

Then he pulled out what looked like a stun gun and said that for the dogs that aren't friendly, Amazon is now giving their drivers "dog tasers". He activated it, and  I didn't here a sparky sound, but it had the two lights up front, and he also said that when you turn it on, there's a button that makes a sound that dogs don't like. Sure enough, Steve moved way away when he turned it on. He also said he used it on a Heeler that bit him the other day.

I don't know if he was giving me a story about it actually being a stun gun, or if Amazon gives them to drivers. That last part sounded fishy, because it seems it would open Amazon up to lawsuits. Seems more like he's doing this on his own. My neighbor's daughter delivers for Amazon as well. The next time she delvers a package to me I'm going to ask if it's a story or what.

[Andiron]

Can't decide if that's better than good old mace.  I'd rather be tazed,  pepper spray stays with you.

[Perd Hapley]

I don't know if he was giving me a story about it actually being a stun gun, or if Amazon gives them to drivers. That last part sounded fishy, because it seems it would open Amazon up to lawsuits. Seems more like he's doing this on his own.

Could be his supervisor is giving them out on his own accord. If so, terrible opsec.

[MechAg94]

I have heard dogs don't like the sparky flash and sound, but I never tried it.  I gave one to my sister-in-law once since she jogs a lot.  I don't know if she ever used it.

[bedlamite]

It was probably ultrasonic. It may also be electric shock on contact.

[RoadKingLarry]

Best I could get from my company was dog pepper spray. Always kept a can handy when I was traveling at night. Used it on dogs twice and was seconds away from using on an aggressive panhandler once. A sheriff's deputy rolled in the convenience store lot and the begger beat feet.

[HankB]

Best I could get from my company was dog pepper spray. Always kept a can handy when I was traveling at night. Used it on dogs twice and was seconds away from using on an aggressive panhandler once. A sheriff's deputy rolled in the convenience store lot and the begger beat feet.

Years ago I was walking downtown in [city name redacted] with my mother when we were accosted by an aggressive panhandler.

Dog pepper spray (the kind mailmen used) was effective.