Dog Bite Awareness Safety Tips

According to the USPS, last year over 5,000 postal employees were attacked by dogs. These dog attacks resulted in million of dollars of insurance claims from medical expenses. Here are some tips from The Humane Society of the United States if you are approach by an aggressive dog:

Do not turn your back and run away; a dog’s instinct will be to give chase.
Stay still, with arms at side and avoid eye contact.
If dog loses interest, slowly back away until dog is out of sight.
If you are attacked, throw anything you have (hat, mail satchel, postal cart) at the dog and put as much distance between yourself and the dog.
If you fall down, curl up in a ball and protect your head and neck. Try to remain still.

If you are bitten by a dog, take these steps:

Wash the bite area with warm water and soap as soon as possible.
Call your doctor for additional care.
Contact your local animal control agency to report the attack. Try to give the agency as much information as possible, including the type of dog and location of the attack.

Remember to stay safe by never approaching a dog that is unfamiliar to you. If you happen to encounter aggressive dogs on your route, another option to deter them is to carry a Dog Repellent. Follow the postal campaign to “Stay Alert: Don’t be Fooled by ‘My Dog Won’t Bite!’”.