KANSAS CITY, Kan. (KCTV) – Across the country, more than 5,800 postal workers have been bitten by dogs. The United States Postal Service is launching a campaign bringing awareness to how dog owners can play a part in keeping mail carriers safe.
According to USPS last year, there were a reported 180 dog bite attacks in Missouri and 73 in Kansas. If there is a situation where mail carriers don’t feel it’s safe to make deliveries in certain neighborhoods, service can get disrupted.
This means people’s mail will get rerouted to the post office, which can be an inconvenience for mail recipients. It’s also a hefty insurance bill of up to $64,555 for the dog owner.
“If we’re out there delivering and the dog comes loose, maybe underneath the bush, or a fence or porch or something, it really is challenging for our carriers and we’re trying to keep everybody safe but also get that mail delivered as quickly as we can,” said USPS Strategic Communications representative Mark Inglett.
According to USPS, its postal workers are trained to do the following when a dog is in sight:
- Make a non-threatening noise or rattle a fence to alert a dog if entering a yard;
- Never startle a dog;
- Keep their eyes on any dog;
- Never assume a dog will not bite;
- Never attempt to pet or feed a dog; and
- Place their foot against an outward swinging door to prevent a dog from escaping.
But still, they say postal workers are getting attacked.
“Even though a customer’s dog is friendly to most people, it can always have a bad day,” said letter carrier Tara Snyder. “I know, from experience, even when a dog is in the house, customers need to make sure their door is secure so their dog can’t push it open and bite the letter carrier.”
Kansas City is ranked 11th in the country for the highest number of dog attacks last year. Before a mail carrier approaches the property, dog owners are encouraged to keep their dog inside the house or behind a fence; away from the door or in another room or on a leash.
Copyright 2024 KCTV. All rights reserved.
