Great Bend Post Office asks Public to Restrain Their Dogs for Safety of Letter Carriers and Community

The Great Bend Post Office is asking for the public’s support in keeping their dogs restrained year-round; for the safety of letter carriers and community, and to help stamp out dog bites.

While no Great Bend carriers have been bitten so far this year, there have been many close calls, according to Postmaster Rebecca Espinosa. Nationwide more than 3,000 city and rural carriers were attacked by dogs last year. On average, 10 letter carriers a day are attacked by dogs in the United States.

“We’re asking pet owners to please restrain their dogs and allow their carriers to deliver the mail safely,” said Espinosa.

Dog owners are also asked to ensure their pets are in separate rooms with closed doors before accepting mail from a carrier at their front doors.

“Dogs are protective and they may perceive letter carriers handing mail to their owners as a threat,” said Espinosa. “For the same reason, we also ask parents to make sure their children don’t collect mail from our carriers in the presence of their pets.

“Safety always comes first. If a letter carrier perceives an unrestrained pet as a threat, we will curtail delivery and ask the customer to pick up their mail at the Post Office. If a pet roams a wide area, this may also result in the neighbors’ mail being curtailed. In these cases, we won’t resume delivery until the situation is safe.”

Fortunately dog bite injuries can be prevented through responsible pet ownership and education.

How to Be a Responsible Dog 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 that 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.

How to Avoid Being Bitten

• Don't run past a dog. The dog's natural instinct is to chase and catch prey.
• If a dog threatens you, don't scream. Avoid eye contact. Try to remain motionless until the dog leaves, then back away slowly until the dog is out of sight.
• While letter carriers are prohibited from petting animals, people who choose to pet dogs should always let a dog see and sniff them before petting the animal.
• If you believe a dog is about to attack you, try to place something between you and the dog, such as a purse, a backpack or a bicycle.

Additional information is available through the Humane Society of the United States at www.hsus.org, and the Prevent the Bite program at  www.preventthebite.org.