61 dog bite attacks occurred in Los Angeles last year.
In honor of National Dog Bite Prevention Week last month, the US Postal Service released statistics on dog bite injuries among letter carriers. There were a total of 5,581 such dog attack incidents in 2013, 61 of which took place in Los Angeles. This made LA the second worst city in the nation for mail carrier dog bites. Houston was the worst by a narrow margin of two additional incidents.
The experience of mail carriers brings out some universal points about dog attacks that are vital for both dog owners and the general public to understand.
Any Dog Can Bite
First of all, it is extremely important for everyone to realize that any dog can bite. Dog owners should be very wary of ever assuring anyone that their dog certainly won’t bite. The USPS advises employees to never trust a dog, even if they have witnessed it displaying friendly behavior countless times before. If a dog owner encourages someone to pet their dog and then it bites, you can bet they will be found liable for the injury.
Attacks Are Preventable
The USPS has taken a two-pronged approach to preventing dog bite injuries. First of all, they train their own employees on safety measures such as how to fend off a dog using their mail satchel or a dog spray that they must carry at all times. They also require all employees to review the addresses of the known dangerous dogs on their route every morning so that they can take necessary precautions at those homes, such as not approaching if a door or gate is left ajar or if a dog is present.
Secondly, the USPS is also attempting to educate the public in responsible dog ownership. For example, they urge everyone to shut dogs in another room before opening the door to accept a package. This helps eliminate the problem of dog attacks caused when indoor dogs push past their owners and out the door. The USPS also encourages dog owners to properly train, restrain, and socialize their pets to help reduce the risk of bites.
A Dangerous Dog May Lead to Suspension of Mail Service
If your dog is known to be aggressive or dangerous, or if any dog is running loose on your property, the USPS reserves the right to stop delivering your mail to your door and instead require you to pick it up at the post office until such time as you can prove it is safe for the mail carrier to return. Other individuals who go door to door, such as salesmen, Meals on Wheels volunteers, or even neighbors would do well to follow a similar policy to avoid being attacked by a dog.
