National Dog Bite Prevention Week is this week and its goal is to spread education on how to prevent attacks from happening.
As part of the education process, the United States Postal Service (USPS) wants to help dog owners prevent serious injuries to letter carriers and others by taking their role in dog bite prevention seriously.
The following information and tips are provided by the United States Postal Service
ALL DOGS CAN BITE
AdvertisementClick for more information
AdvertisementClick for more information
If you own a dog, do not allow it to roam. There are more than 4.5 million people attacked each year and children make up the majority of victims. Dog attacks are the most commonly reported childhood public health problem in the United States.
If there is a dog loose in your neighborhood, mail delivery may be stopped even if it isn’t your dog. You can assist by contacting the Whatcom Humane Society if you see a loose dog in your neighborhood.
Obedience training courses are recommended for you and your dog to learn how to control your dog in most situations. When a letter carrier comes to your home, keep your dog inside and away from the door or on a leash.
Don’t send your child to take mail from the letter carrier in the presence of your dog. Your dog will possibly act on their instinct to protect his family and attack the Mail Carrier.
AdvertisementClick for more information
AdvertisementClick for more information
Spaying or neutering your dog makes them less likely to bite. Dogs not spayed or neutered are three times more likely to be involved in a biting incident than if they are not.
If a Mail Carrier is injured by your pet, you pay. The average cost paid out for a dog bite claim was $29,752 in 2012.