Postal Service Launches Dog Bite Prevention Week
The U.S. Postal Service has announced its dog bite prevention campaign, according to a recent article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The event, which takes place every year, coincides with National Dog Bite Prevention Week. It is designed to raise awareness about the large number of dog bites suffered by postal workers each year. In 2009, the U.S. Postal Service notes that 2,863 letter carriers were bitten by dogs.
Most owners say their dogs are friendly and will not bite; however, the types of dogs that bite do not just include the more commonly recognized aggressive breeds. According to the Postal Service, this may be true for family members, but the situation is different for a postal worker, who is a stranger. Even friendly dogs act instinctually to protect their territory and may bite a stranger if they believe that person is threatening the dog's home or family.
To prevent dogs from biting letter carriers, the Postal Service recommends that owners move their dog to another room when the mail arrives. Keep the dog in a room that does not have access to the front door, the letter slot or mailbox, or any route the letter carrier must take to make a delivery. Also, if children are allowed to take the mail from the letter carrier, do not let the dog see them do it. The dog may interpret the transaction as a threat to the child and act accordingly.
About 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs in the U.S. each year. If you or a family member have suffered a dog bite, it's important to know your legal rights and options. You may be entitled to recover compensation for medical expenses and other losses. The experienced dog bite attorneys in Missouri at Page Law can help. Call Page Law today at 314-322-8515 for a free and confidential case evaluation.
