Meter Reader vs. Dogs: Putting Bite on SDG

As Vada Stevens tells it, her Tina, Tinker and Tasse were brutally beaten by a panicky meter reader and will never be the same.

As San Diego Gas & Electric Co. tells it, the meter reader was attacked by three snarling dogs and defended himself with a company-authorized aluminum stick with a tennis ball at the end.

Without admitting guilt, the company has apparently offered to pay $700 to cover the dogs’ veterinary bills.

Stevens, a disabled nurse living in rural El Cajon, says that isn’t good enough. She says the bills are closer to $900, and furthermore she feels it’s important that SDG&E; promise to be more careful so that someone else’s prized dogs aren’t battered.

Veteran meter reader Joe Cordeiro was making his first stop at the home on Rios Canyon Road since the dogs, Stevens and her 13-year-old grandson had moved in.

Stevens wasn’t home, but her grandson, Joshua, says he heard one dog yelping in agony and rounded a corner in time to see Cordeiro beating the other two with a stick.

Tina, a Doberman pinscher, 8 years old and 65 pounds, had welts on her nose and tail. Tinker, a toy Manchester terrier, 7 years and about 8 pounds, lost sight in one eye and now walks sideways and can’t jump.

Tasse, an Australian cattle dog, 2 years and 42 pounds, has a broken tooth and an injured leg that makes her fall down.

After interviewing Cordeiro, who had no bite marks, SDG&E; officials pronounced that he had done nothing wrong. “He did what he had to do,” said his boss, Larry Mahoney.

Dog attacks are serious stuff to SDG&E.; In 1987, its meter readers suffered 33 dog attacks.

SDG&E; spokesman Tom Murnane says the company is negotiating with Stevens as a gesture of good will, not an admission of wrongdoing.

Stevens says SDG&E; warned her that her negotiating position is not being enhanced by continuing to be outspoken. Murnane won’t comment on the negotiations.

Stevens let the $700 offer lapse. She isn’t sure what her next move is, maybe Small Claims Court.

“A man walked into my yard with a weapon in his hand, and pretty soon two of my dogs were unconscious and the other was hysterical,” she said. “It isn’t right.”

Pirates 1, Passengers O

Most airlines have a “pre-board” policy of letting passengers who are aged, infirm, pregnant or traveling with small children get on first.

It’s good public relations, and it keeps the Federal Aviation Administration happy.

So who were those physically fit and snappily dressed young men boarding a USAir flight Sunday night from San Francisco to San Diego while more harried travelers in need of consideration were required to stand aside?

Answer: the Pittsburgh Pirates, on their way for a three-game set with the Padres.

With the flight delayed by an hour, the waiting area at San Francisco was SRO with tired and frustrated travelers waiting to board. When the Pirates were given what seemed like preferential treatment, eyes widened and mouths opened.

USAir says it has a policy of letting large groups, jocks or no, board first. The Pirates say they were only following airline rules.

Conclusion: Bush league.

Not Helping Image

Vice President Dan Quayle did everything expected of him during his whirlwind visit to San Diego: he looked presentable, avoided gaffes and appeared interested while talking to high-tech, aerospace and academic types.

In all, he was careful to spread good vibes. Not so his handlers.

Streets were blocked for a motorcade (at least 4 dozen motorcycles) that one observer swears was twice as long as that provided when Gorbachev visited Washington. Officials at some Quayle stops complained of being brusquely told where to stand and how to act.

And the following conversation occurred between a reporter and a Quayle press aide.

“Will Dan Quayle be available later for questions?” asked the reporter.

“His name to you is The Vice President,” snapped the aide.