USPS Hosts Dog Bite Awareness Demonstration
The Casper Letter Carriers and the United States Postal Service would like to invite you to a demonstration by Garrett Neufield of Sit Means Sit dog training, and his dog Phender, Thursday May 16, 2013 7:30-8:00 a.m. This is the kick off to National Dog Bite Prevention Week, May 19-25.
USPS is reminding the public that dog attacks are a nationwide issue with
Nearly 5,900 letter carriers attacked last year and 4.7 million Americans annually that are bitten by dogs, more than half of whom are children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Working with animal behavior experts, USPS has developed the following tips to help employees avoid dog attacks:
- Don’t run past a dog. The dog’s natural instinct is to chase and catch you.
- If a dog threatens you, don’t scream. Avoid eye contact. Try to remain motionless until the dog leaves, then back away slowly until the dog is out of sight.
- Never approach a strange dog, especially one that’s tethered or confined.
- Don’t disturb a dog that’s sleeping, eating or caring for puppies.
- Anyone who wants to pet a dog should first get permission from the owner.
- Always let a dog see and sniff you before petting the animal.
- If you believe a dog is about to attack you, try to place something between yourself and the dog, such as a satchel, backpack or a bicycle.
- If you’re knocked down by a dog, curl into a ball and protect your face with your hands.