USPS News: Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 19, 2001 Press Release #01-039 Postal Service Announces National Dog Bite Prevention Week May 20-26 Letters Carriers Looking to Avoid Pain of Bites WASHINGTON — In an effort to raise awareness about the devastating effects of dog bites on the health of letter carriers and the public, the U.S. Postal Service today announced its participation in National Dog Bite Prevention Week — May 20-26. Millions of Americans share their homes and their hearts with dogs, but an estimated 4.7 million people in the United States are bitten by dogs each year. More than two million of these victims were children. "Dog bites deeply concern us," said Suzanne H. Milton, Acting Vice President, Employee Resource Management. "Too often our employees encounter unrestrained or stray dogs while they are on the job every delivery day. Therefore we ask that dog owners practice responsible pet ownership-because one dog bite is still one bite too many." Dog bites to postal employees peaked during the mid-1980s when more than 7,000 letter carriers were attacked. Although it remains a serious health problem, the number of dog bites reported by postal employees since that time has dropped considerably. Through extensive training, public awareness and outreach programs, the number of postal employees reporting dog bites was reduced to 2,721 in 2000. Listed below are dog bite statistics from fiscal years 1990-2000: 1990 — 2,782 Bites 1991 — 2,733 Bites 1992 — 2,802 Bites 1993 — 2,671 Bites 1994 — 2,782 Bites 1995 — 2,851 Bites 1996 — 2,795 Bites 1997 — 2,798 Bites 1998 — 2,541 Bites 1999 — 2,729 Bites 2000 — 2,721 Bites To help continue the recent trend of fewer dog bites, the Postal Service is reminding customers and their family and friends to observe the following simple tips: To avoid being bitten: Don't run past a strange dog. A dog's natural instinct is to chase and catch prey. If a dog threatens, 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. Don't approach a strange dog, especially one that's tethered or confined. Always let a dog see and sniff you before you pet the animal. To be a responsible dog owner: When your 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. Obedience training can teach your dog proper behavior and help you control your dog in any situation. Spay or neuter your dog - unneutered dogs are more likely to bite! Additional information on preventing dog bites is available on the Postal Service's Web site at www.usps.com, or visit the Humane Society of the United States Web site: at www.nodogbites.org. # # #