Keep Your Dogs Restrained and Your Neighborhood Safe

National Dog Bite Prevention Week May 18-24

BUENA PARK, CA — Dog owners across America are being asked today to act more responsibly by keeping their pets restrained. Buena Park Postmaster Jackie Deter is calling for safer neighborhoods for everyone, including U.S. Postal Service (USPS) letter carriers, during the launch of Pony Express, the newest roller coaster at Knott’s Berry Farm. Eight USPS letter carriers will be among the first riders to see how the attraction delivers.

“Postal Service letter carriers carry on the legend of the Pony Express through their dedicated and steadfast delivery of the U.S. mail across our nation every day,” said Deter. “Pony Express riders faced many hazards as they covered up to 100 miles a day on horseback, and today’s letter carriers face some hazards too ― most notably loose dogs.”

May 18 – 24 is National Dog Bite Prevention Week, a USPS education campaign with the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Humane Society, American Academy of Pediatrics, Prevent the Bite and other organizations. More than 3,000 USPS employees were attacked by dogs across the United States last year. “But that number pales in comparison to the over 4.5 million people who suffer dog bites in our nation, and most of them are children and the elderly,” said Deter.  

As Knott’s theme park characters Charlie Brown and Snoopy made a surprise visit during the festivities, with Snoopy on a leash, Deter praised the Peanuts characters for demonstrating responsible pet ownership. “Now, Snoopy is probably the most loveable and sweetest dog you’ll ever find ― but Charlie Brown knows it is the owner’s duty to make sure his pet is always restrained,” said Deter. “The Postal Service and Knott’s Berry Farm are asking everyone to please help keep our neighborhoods safer by not letting dogs roam unrestrained.”

The USPS is offering these tips for being a responsible pet owner:

• Obedience training can teach dogs proper behavior and help owners control their dogs.
• When a carrier comes to your home, keep your dog inside, away from the door in another room.
• Don't let your child take mail from the carrier in the presence of your dog. Your dog's instinct is to protect the family.
• Spay or neuter your dog. Neutered dogs are less likely to bite. Humane Society statistics show dogs that have not been spayed or neutered are up to three times more likely to bite.
• Dogs that receive little attention or handling, or are left tied up for long periods of time, frequently turn into biters.

Additional information is available through the American Veterinary Medical Association at www.avma.org, the American Academy of Pediatrics at www.aap.org, the Humane Society of the United States at www.hsus.org, and the Prevent the Bite program at  www.preventthebite.org.