Deliveryman pokes dogs with mop handle in shocking doorbell footage

An Evri deliveryman was dismissed after being recorded on a Ring doorbell camera poking two Labradors, Bella and Reggie, with a mop handle. The incident occurred at the home of Zoe Mitchell in Pontefract, West Yorkshire. Zoe noted that her dogs are friendly but bark at visitors, which may have startled the driver. She speculated that the deliveryman might have reacted out of frustration after his hand was bitten while attempting to deliver a note. However, she pointed out that there was no footage of him actually delivering the note through the letterbox, and a wall-mounted parcel box was available for use. Zoe expressed her disbelief, stating that she had previously given the driver five-star reviews for his service over the past five years. She described him as friendly and reliable, often leaving parcels in her garden when she was not home. Following the incident, she taped her letterbox shut and placed a notice instructing delivery drivers to use the external post box instead. Evri confirmed the driver’s termination, labeling his actions as inexcusable despite acknowledging that he had been bitten. The company emphasized that such behavior is rare among their couriers, who have received over three million five-star ratings on Trustpilot. Zoe reported the incident to West Yorkshire Police, highlighting the community's shock at the driver's behavior. This incident raises concerns about the treatment of pets during deliveries and the importance of proper communication between delivery personnel and customers. It also underscores the need for delivery companies to ensure their staff are trained to handle challenging situations appropriately.