Dog bite safety tips offered

4.7 million Americans bit every year

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO — "For every letter carrier bitten, hundreds of children needlessly suffer the pain and trauma of dog bites," says Priscilla Maney, the U.S. Postal Service Caribbean District Executive-in-Charge. "Whatever the reasons, dog bites are a serious problem for the entire community, and not just our letter carriers," she said.

Each year, more than 4.7 million people — mostly children and the elderly — suffer injuries for dog attacks each year. "We need postal customers to be vigilant about their pets." said Priscilla Maney, USPS Executive-in-Charge. "It is also helpful if customers, let us know if there are strays in their area so our postal carriers can take the necessary precautions," said Maney.

In the interest of public safety, Priscilla Maney, District Manager/Postmaster for the Caribbean District of the U.S. Postal Service encourages owners to follow these guidelines:

• When a letter carrier comes to your home, keep your dog inside, away from the door, in another room, or on a leash.
• Don’t let your child take mail from the letter carrier in the presence of your dog. Your dog’s instinct is to protect the family.

"Our letter carriers are dedicated, but we may be forced to stop mail delivery at an address if a letter carrier is threatened by a vicious dog," she said. Maney also reminds dog owners that if a dog attacks a letter carrier, they could be held liable for all medical expenses and other costs, which could run into thousands of dollars.