National Dogbite Prevention Week

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"National Dogbite Prevention Week" is May 19-25.

Letter carriers are the third most likely group to be bitten by dogs, trailing children and the elderly. Last year, nearly 5,600 postal employees were attacked by dogs — an average of 11 every delivery day. And these statistics don’t include the number of incidents that don’t result in injury.

To avoid a dog bite, employees should follow these tips:

• Don’t run past a dog. Its natural instinct is to chase after and catch you.
• Don’t scream if a dog threatens you. Avoid eye contact. Try to remain motionless until the dog leaves — then slowly back away.
• Don’t approach a strange dog, especially one that’s confined or tethered.
• If threatened, place something, such as a backpack, between yourself and the dog.
  The May 3 Postal Bulletin has additional resources.
  USPS kicked off National Dog Bite Prevention Week May 17 in Los Angeles, CA, where 83 postal employees were attacked last year — the highest number of any U.S. city.