Columbus, Ohio ranks 8th in the nation for dog bites among mail carriers; from 2014 to 2015, the number of dog attacks against mail carriers in the city nearly doubled, from 22 to 43. Dog bites are a risk mail carriers across the country face every day while on the job. In 2015, a total of 6,549 mail carriers were involved in a dog attack. Mail carriers are aware of the risks a dog can pose while doing their jobs, and actively work to prevent dog bites and attacks. If there is a loose dog in the street or in someone's yard, delivery to the home may be skipped until the animal is restrained. One Columbus mail carrier knows the dogs along his route, and attaches a "dog warning card" to the home's mail when preparing mail for delivery; the card serves as an added reminder of a potentially dangerous animal's presence.
Safety Tips For Dog Owners
To prevent dog bites and keep Columbus mail carriers safe on the job, the postal service says animal owners should do the following:- Know when your mail carrier will likely arrive so that your dog can be put away.
- Always keep your dog contained; even when in your yard, a leash may be necessary.
- Put your dog in another room behind closed doors before opening the front door for your mail carrier.
