When it comes to San Diego’s postal workers, many dogs have it out for them, according to a new report from the U.S. Postal Service.
San Diego ranked fourth in the nation in terms of dog attacks on U.S. Postal Service letter carriers during 2016, with 57 reported incidents.
Only Los Angeles, Houston and Cleveland ranked higher, with 80, 62, and 60 attacks, respectively.
“Even good dogs have bad days,” said U.S. Postal Service Safety Director Linda DeCarlo. “Dog bite prevention training and continuing education are important to keep pet owners, pets and those who visit homes — like letter carriers — happy and healthy.”
A total of 6,755 postal employees across the nation were attacked by dogs in calendar year 2016 — more than 200 higher than the year before.
About 4.5 million Americans are bitten by dogs annually, and half of those victims are children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
DeCarlo offered the following tips for dog owners who receive mail delivery:
- If a letter carrier delivers mail or packages to your front door, place your dog in a separate room and close that door before opening the front door. Dogs have been known to burst through screen doors or plate-glass windows to attack visitors. Dog owners should keep the family pet secured.
- Parents should remind their children and other family members not to take mail directly from letter carriers in the presence of the family pet, as the dog may view the letter carrier handing mail to a family member as a threatening gesture.
- The Postal Service places the safety of its employees as a top priority. If a letter carrier feels threatened by a dog, or if a dog is loose or unleashed, the owner may be asked to pick up mail at a Post Office until the letter carrier is assured the pet has been restrained. If the dog is roaming the neighborhood, the pet owner’s neighbors also may be asked to pick up their mail at the area’s Post Office.
–Staff