I'm a letter carrier who loves dogs. Nothing about aggressive dogs themselves anger me, but I get furious at ignorant/lazy/irresponsible owners who can't/won't control their dogs.
I am very calm and confident when I am charged and I am quite successful at avoiding bites. I've even yelled at a charging dog to "sit" and he stopped in his tracks. The only times I've been bitten is when I am surprised and caught off guard without room or time to react.
I've turned many "bad dogs" into friends that now love me, but that's a slow process that involves communicating with the owner and seeing them every day to build relationships with them. The stranger walking by who doesn't have this advantage will be charged. I tell these owners that if/when I leave the route, the next letter carrier might not be so forgiving with their dogs, and spray/kick them, and it would be pretty hard to blame them for it. They rarely take the hint.
Dog ownership is a privilege, not a right. Don't assume everyone likes your pet. Keep it controlled, and if you can't, learn to, or leave it inside.
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