A variety of animals can make a process server’s job lively and interesting. The most obvious, and most common, is man’s best friend, the dog. They come in a wide variety of sizes and dispositions. The basic rule when dealing with dogs, or any other animal, is to consider them a threat until proven otherwise.
Though dogs can be dangerous, they are certainly not the only animal about which a server should be concerned. In rural areas, especially on farms, people are likely to keep a variety of different “domesticated” animals and some can be surprisingly aggressive.
Geese are highly territorial and, in addition to their loud honking, can inflict a nasty bite on the unwary or foolish process server. Their method of attack is both swift and unusual. They will drop their head down near the ground and rush forward at you. All the while they are hissing and honking loudly. The overall effect is quite unnerving. If allowed to get close enough they will bite. The best defense is to avoid them completely.
Large farm animals such as cows, bulls, horses, mules, llamas, and the like are all capable of inflicting bites but also have the added advantage of their large size and weight. At a dairy farm it is often necessary to search the outbuildings and barns while attempting to locate the person you are seeking to serve. A herd of cows will surround you out of simple curiosity but, if startled, can kick or knock a person down and step on you without warning. Most bulls, mules, and llamas are ill natured from birth and should be avoided. Horses, though generally more docile, startle easily. A farm animal’s sheer weight and bulk can prove a serious weapon.
As mentioned above, dogs are the most common animal with which a server must deal. They are kept as pets and guards not only in rural areas but in quiet family neighborhoods, tenements, townhouses, and any other domicile erected by people. They come in all sizes from the minute to the very large and size is not always an indicator of how ferocious they might be.
As a general rule a dog’s breed can give the server a first insight into how the dog is going to react. Various breeds of small dogs tend to be quite loud and, more times than not, aggressive. They will tend to attack from behind and attempt to inflict bites on your ankle or lower calf. Medium sized dogs tend to be less aggressive unless they are of one of the guard dog breeds. The largest dogs, though their appearance is threatening, tend to pose the least problems. Dogs of various herding breeds, usually of small to medium size, are exceptionally territorial and extremely quick.
Many servers carry dog treats in their car. These will allow you to befriend some dogs but not all. Some servers carry mace but it turns out mace doesn’t effect dogs and animals in the same way it does people. On the other hand pepper spray, a favorite of postal mail carriers, can be highly effective.
Another useful tool is a clipboard or portfolio. These can be used as a shield or as a weapon with which to hit the attacking animal. With dogs, simply reaching down to the ground, pretending to pick up a rock, will cause many of them to back away. Of course, if a rock or other item is available by all means pick it up and use it.
A highly dangerous situation is when you are set upon by a pack of dogs. A “pack” is any number more than one. They will work as a team to get to you. One will make a frontal assault while another will work around to your side or rear for a flanking attack. Should this happen make every effort to back up against something, a wall or tree for instance. This cuts down their options and improves your chances of avoiding a bite.
Unless you are very near a place of refuge (such as your car) never attempt to outrun a dog. You are almost certain to lose.
Watch for clues around the property you are entering. A feed or water dish for instance or a dog chain with no dog attached. Staying aware of your surroundings helps you to avoid being surprised by an animal which just happens to come around the corner of a house as you are half way between your car and the door you on which you want to knock.
That said, any dog, or other animal, must be watched at all times. Their behavior is subject to rapid and unexpected change. Some dogs will let you get to the front door and then threaten or attack as you attempt to leave. Never take an animal for granted. They are always a potential threat to a process server’s safety.
Most professional process servers will avoid encounters with animals when ever possible. However, should worse come to worse, and you are bitten or otherwise injured by an animal, it is vital to make a report to local law enforcement or animal control. This puts the animal owner on notice and could save the next process server from being similarly injured.
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This is a rough diagram of a typical courtroom in the state of Washington. Courtrooms vary a great deal from city to city and county to county but they all have the same basic structure.
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