Delivery driver climbs fence to escape two dogs in Staffordshire
A delivery driver delivering a Subway order to a house in Lichfield, Staffordshire, was forced to abandon the food and scramble over a fence to escape two small dogs that suddenly appeared on 5 September. The incident, captured on video, has sparked widespread discussion online about the challenges and safety concerns delivery workers face, with the footage attracting over 860,000 views and thousands of comments from users with differing opinions.
The driver was ringing the doorbell when Lydia Starkey, 27, opened the gate without knowing her brother had ordered the delivery. When one of the dogs bolted out, Starkey called for help but was unable to reach her mother (feeding a newborn), her partner (in the shower) or her brother (unable to hear the commotion). The driver subsequently fled to the neighbour's property, scaling a dustbin to safety. Starkey's family later checked on the driver and found the situation amusing, with the homeowner noting that "these things happen with dogs getting out", though online commenters remained divided on whether his reaction was proportionate.
- Delivery driver climbed neighbour's bin to escape two small dogs.
- Video of incident has attracted over 860,000 views online.
- Family laughed off situation once driver was confirmed unhurt.
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A delivery driver went to a house in Lichfield, Staffordshire, to deliver a Subway order on 5 September when two small dogs suddenly escaped from the property. The homeowner, Lydia Starkey, was unable to contain the animals or get help from other family members, prompting the driver to escape by climbing a fence and scaling a dustbin to reach a neighbouring property.
A video of the incident went viral online, attracting over 860,000 views and sparking widespread discussion about the hazards and safety concerns that delivery workers face in their jobs. The footage has divided online opinion, with some viewers sympathising with the driver's decision to flee and others questioning whether the response was necessary.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Delivery workers face genuine occupational hazards, and the driver responded reasonably to an unexpected encounter with animals he could not immediately assess. In a split-second situation, prioritising personal safety by creating distance is a justified precaution. The responsibility for preventing such incidents ultimately lies with homeowners to secure their pets, and the worker cannot be faulted for taking protective action when confronted with an unknown animal situation.
The case against
The dogs were small and the family subsequently confirmed they posed no threat, indicating a calmer response would have been entirely appropriate. The driver had alternatives—stepping back, waiting at the gate, or communicating with residents—yet chose immediate flight instead. Such overreactions to minor, non-aggressive animal encounters risk amplifying everyday occurrences into outsized safety concerns and may reinforce unnecessary fear that harms both humans and animals alike.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Moment terrified delivery driver scrambles over fence to escape customer’s small dogs”.