By Debbie Stepha, postmaster
Minerva, Ohio
For every Postal Service carrier bitten, hundreds of children needlessly suffer the pain and trauma of dog bites. Whatever the reasons, dog bites are a serious problem for the entire community, not just the carriers.
Three thousand one hundred and forty-nine carriers suffered from dog attacks and bites last year. That is an average of 11 dog attacks or bites every delivery day, and that figure does not include the number of threatening incidents that did not result in injury. These number spale in comparison with the more than 47 million people - mostly children and the elderly - who suffer injuries from dog attacks each year.
If a carrier needs to deliver a certified letter or a package to you, put your dog into a separate room before opening your front door. Dogs have been known to burst through screen doors or plate-glass windows to get at strangers.
Nationally and fortunately, the number of carriers bitten by dogs has declined over the years. This is because of greater cooperation from dog owners, stricter leash laws, and stepped-up efforts to educate carriers and the public about dealing with the problem.
Carriers are vigilant and dedicated, but they may be forced to stop mail delivery at an address if a carrier is threatened by a vicious dog. In some instances, Postal Service employees have sued and collected damages for dog bite injuries. They cannot control people's dogs; only dog owners can do that.
While some attribute attacks on carriers to dogs' inbred aversion to uniforms, experts say the psychology actually runs much deeper. Every day that a carrier comes into a dog's territory, the dog barks and the carrier leaves. Day after day the dog sees this action repeated. After a week or two, the dog appears to feel invincible against the intruders. Once the dog gets loose, there is a good chance it will attack.
Dog owners should remind their children about the need to keep the family dog secured. They also recommend parents ask their children not to take mail directly from the carriers. A dog may see handing mail to a child as a threatening gesture.
These simple reminders and helpful tips can reduce the hazard of dog attacks and bites. Help them to help you this spring and summer.