How to be a Responsible Pet Owner

Would your dog attack? The American Veterinary Medical Association estimates that more than 4.5 million dog bites are reported to local authorities each year. Countless more go unreported.

 

Dog attacks can range from a relatively painless nip to a fatal mauling. Dog attack victims account for up to 5 percent of all hospital emergency room visits. Children are most often the victims. Dog attacks are the most commonly reported childhood public health problem in the United States.

You may feel confident that your dog won’t add to these statistics, and it is probably true that your trusty companion will never seriously harm anyone. However, if your dog does attack or bite someone, you could be liable for the victim’s pain, suffering, and medical expenses. Potential victims include your city⁄rural carrier and neighborhood children. 

Recently, a Miami city carrier, who delivers mail from the Jose Marti Station, sustained serious injuries to her arm during a vicious dog attack. Following six hours of surgery, doctors were optimistic about her use of this arm.

 

Why do some dogs attack? Lack of socialization, improper training, excitement, and fear can all contribute to a dog attack. Even a nip on the leg is unacceptable behavior for a family dog. Reducing the likelihood your dog will ever bite someone helps protect you, your canine companion, and everyone else in the community.

 

How can you help reduce dog bite attacks?

• Teach your dog appropriate behavior. Don’t play aggressive games with your dog such as wrestling, tug of war, or siccing your dog on another person. It’s essential that your dog recognize members of your family as dominant figures not to be challenged.

• For everyone’s safety, don’t allow your dog to roam. Make your pet a member of your family. Dogs that spend too much time tethered to a dog house or in the backyard have a much greater chance of developing aggressive behavioral problems.
• Stay on the safe side. Help your dog become accustomed to a variety of situations. If you don’t know how your dog will react to a new situation, be cautious. If you think your dog could panic in a crowd, leave him or her at home. If your dog may overreact to visitors or delivery people, keep him or her in another room.

Set a good example in your community. Be a responsible pet owner. Your letter carrier (and your neighbors) will thank you.

'Team Pompano' Promotion

"Team Pompano" members, from left, Manager, Customer Service Operations Joe Croce; Manager, Customer Services Louis Mongilia; and Postmaster Ed Coppola. Photo: Cindy Scherer

Louis Mongilia, a 30-year career employee, has been promoted to Manager, Customer Services, EAS-21, at the Pompano Main Office.

Mongilia began his career as a Letter Carrier at the Margate Branch in 1984.  His career path included numerous supervisory positions throughout the Pompano area. He also was Manager, Customer Services, EAS-19, at the North Lauderdale Annex, and Manager, Customer Services, EAS-20, at the Coconut Creek Branch.

"Team Pompano" wishes him continued success in his career.

Give a Home to Pets Stamps Aug. 2

The U.S. Postal Service will issue its set of 20 Pets forever stamps with a First-Day-Of-Issue ceremony in Las Vegas, NV, today, August 2.

The 20 stamps are being issued together in a double-sided pane of 20 as a booklet. Each stamp shows a photograph of one pet: puppy, betta fish, iguana, hamster, goldfish, kitten, rabbit, tortoise, guinea pig, parrot, corn snake, mouse, hermit crab, chinchilla, gerbil, gecko, cat, horse, parakeet and dog. 

USPS Seeks Holiday Annuitants

It's August 1, but it's not too early to plan for the 2016 holiday season.

That's just what the U.S. Postal Service is doing. In fact, USPS is planning to hire annuitants from various crafts for "the peak" which is November 12, 2016 through January 6, 2017.

If you have postal friends who have retired, let them know about this great opportunity to help USPS process and deliver an outstanding holiday season to customers ... and earn some extra holiday money (about $16 per hour)!

Application period is August 1 - 19. Look for a Newsbreak with details.

Fort Laud MCSO Moves to A/MOPS

Joe Marrone

Effective August 1, Joe Marrone, Manager, Customer Service Operations, Fort Lauderdale (East), is being detailed as Manager, Operations Programs Support, in the South Florida District. Manager, Operations Programs Support Janice Atherly is being detailed to a position in another Area.

Marrone will be administratively and operationally responsible for the Operations Programs Delivery Support Staff. His duties also will include performing reviews and analyses of delivery, collection, and retail operations; as well as ensuring compliance with procedures and monitoring service performance.

Marrone joined the U.S. Postal Service 16 years ago as a Letter Carrier at the Pompano Beach Main Office. He delivered mail for two years and then became an A/Supervisor, Customer Services at Pompano Beach Main Office and at Tropical Reef Station, Pompano Beach. In 2005, Marrone was promoted to Supervisor, Customer Services at the Margate Branch. He was promoted to Manager, Customer Services at Melrose Vista Station, Fort Lauderdale, and then as Manager, Customer Services, Oakland Park Branch.

Throughout his career, Marrone has been detailed to several delivery units in the Fort Lauderdale and Pompano Beach areas. He also was A/Manager, Customer Services at Flagler Station in Miami. 

“Joe is an asset to our leadership team and brings a wealth of delivery experience to this position,” said District Manager Jeffery Taylor. “Please join me in wishing him well in his new assignment.”

Photo: Fort Lauderdale Customer Relations Coordinator Kelly Worthman

Boynton Beach Welcomes Roundtree

Boynton Beach Postmaster LaConnia Watkins (left) welcomes to her team Edith Roundtree (right) as Manager, Customer Services, Jog Road Station. Photo: West Palm Beach Customer Relations Coordinator Curlita Rogers-Saunders

 

Edith Roundtree has been promoted to Manager, Customer Services, Jog Road Station, Boynton Beach.

 

Roundtree started her postal career as a casual employee at the Miami General Mail Facility in 1979. In February 1991, she moved into the managerial ranks as A/Supervisor, Special Delivery. Throughout her career, Roundtree has held several positions including Supervisor, Customer Services, Carol City and Miami; and Manager, Southside Station, Fort Lauderdale. In 2008, Roundtree was selected as Postmaster, Loxahatchee.

 

“Postal employees can achieve any goal that they set as long as they believe in themselves," said Roundtree. "The sky is the limit in this organization. Remember always to maintain your integrity and to treat others fairly.”

 

“Edith brings a wealth of postal knowledge to Boynton Beach, and I am honored to have her on my team," said Boynton Beach Postmaster LaConnia Watkins.

Boynton Beach Has a New Supervisor

Boynton Beach Postmaster LaConnia Watkins (left) congratulates Mearlene “Liz” Harris (right) on her promotion to Supervisor, Customer Services at the Boynton Beach Downtown Station. Photo: West Palm Beach Customer Relations Coordinator Curlita Rogers-Saunders

 

Boynton Beach Postmaster LaConnia Watkins has announced the selection of Mearlene “Liz” Harris as Supervisor, Customer Services at the Boynton Beach Downtown Station.

 

Harris started her postal career as a casual in Boca Raton and has been with the Postal Service for the past 31 years. Harris stated that she has enjoyed her journey with the Postal Service. She encourages employees to learn as much as they can.

 

“The Postal Service offers a lot of opportunities and advantages for growth," said Harris. "I plan to continue to serve the Postal Service and my community as a supervisor in the Downtown Boynton Beach Station.”