Show Your Carrier Some Love

National Dog Bite Prevention Week, May 18-24

EDISON NJ— Dog owners across America are being asked to show their letter carriers some love by making sure their pets are in separate rooms with closed doors before accepting mail from a carrier at their front doors. That’s one of our key messages as the Postal Service launches National Dog Bite Prevention Week, May 18-24.

Last year, more than 3,000 city and rural carriers were attacked by dogs across the United States. Fortunately, this number is 63 fewer carriers victimized by dog attacks than the previous year, thanks to our aggressive community outreach efforts with the American Veterinary Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, Prevent the Bite and other organizations nationwide, including the National Association of Letter Carriers.  That’s still too many dog bites.

“Dogs are man’s best friend but they are also very protective. Any dog could perceive a letter carriers handing mail to their owner as a threat,” said USPS Central New Jersey District Manager/Executive-In-Charge, Vito Cetta. “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. Employee safety is always our number-one concern.”

New York Metro Area postal employees suffered 463 dog bites with the highest numbers occurring in Northern New Jersey with 67 incidents last year, followed by Triboro with 59, Long Island with 42, Central NJ with 32, Westchester with 26, and New York City with 11.

The USPS is offering these tips dog owners can implement to help Letter Carriers deliver safely to their homes:

• 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. Statistics from the Humane Society 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.
• Obedience training can teach dog’s proper behavior and help owners control their dogs.