Dog Bite Prevention

Rick Patterson

Attorney

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Dog bites are a concern. Every year, dogs bite about 4.7 million people, mostly children, the elderly and mail carriers, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Knowing what to do if a strange dog approaches you in a menacing way is a very good idea not only for you but for your children. Who better to learn from than the U.S. Postal Service. In a letter carrier's line of work, they would be well advised to be well advised on the issue.

Here are some survival tips presented to U.S. Postal Service workers in White Planes, New York during their annual dog bite awareness week.

1) Tree stance - stand tall and don't move;
2) Do not make eye contact with the animal;
3) Tuck your fists under your chin; and
4) Let the dog know you are there, but do not be aggressive.

One observation that was made by the letter carriers in White Planes is particularly good to keep in mind. They mentioned that they get more concerned during school vacations and holiday since children have less control over their pets. Some of the postal workers doubted how well the techniques presented to them would work on the more aggressive dogs. The trainer pointed out that at least it would minimize the damage to some degree. One letter carrier offered her own tried and true method "My satchel has saved me many times," said Darlene Smith, who has been bitten six times in her 19 years as a White Plains mail carrier. "I swing it around and usually just get bitten on the finger." Ladies, that all the reason you need to carry a really big purse.