Loose Dogs Unleash Problems for DTE Energy Meter Readers
Warning: mysql_fetch_array(): supplied argument is not a valid MySQL result resource in /home/mmgroth/public_html/banners.inc.php on line 49
Warning: mysql_fetch_array(): supplied argument is not a valid MySQL result resource in /home/mmgroth/public_html/banners.inc.php on line 61
DETROIT, May 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Dog bite injuries have long been a problem for DTE Energy meter readers, who often have to enter homeowners' yards to read their MichCon gas and Detroit Edison electric meters. Unfortunately, these injuries are on the rise.
"Once the weather gets warmer, many people leave their dogs in the yard unattended. With the growing popularity of 'invisible' underground fencing, the number of unrestrained pets is growing, and our meter readers can't always tell if there's a dog in the yard," said Robert Sitkauskas, DTE Energy director of customer service. "As a result, more of our employees are being injured by dog bites."
If a meter reader feels threatened by an unrestrained dog or other hazard, they may not enter the yard. As a result, the meter may not be read and an estimate will be used to calculate the customer's bill.
To help prevent injuries and to ensure actual meter readings, DTE Energy asks customers to keep their pets leashed or in the house when the meter reader is in the area. Dogs should never be tied to meters as it poses danger to the animals and meter readers. Customers can determine the date of their next reading by checking the date of the last reading on their bill. Meters are read within one or two business days of that date.
Customers should remember that they are responsible for the supervision of their animals. Failure to properly restrain a dog can expose the owner to civil liability.
DTE Energy (NYSE:DTE) is a Detroit-based diversified energy company involved in the development and management of energy-related businesses and services nationwide. Its largest operating units are Detroit Edison, an electric utility serving 2.1 million customers in Southeastern Michigan, and MichCon, a natural gas utility serving 1.2 million customers in Michigan. Information about DTE Energy is available at http://www.dteenergy.com/ .
