CHARLOTTE, N.C. — According to U.S. Postal Servicemore than 5,300 mail employees were assaulted by dogs while providing mail in 2015.
What You Need To Know
- North Carolina ranked 10th in the country for the variety of dog bites in 2022
- USPS staff members are trained on precaution to avoid dog bites
- USPS employee Dana Gregory said a service is keeping dogs leashed or consisted of within a fence and far from the location where the shipment occurs
North Carolina ranked 10th in the country for the variety of dog bites. In 2021, there were 126, which number leapt to 146 in 2022.
USPS is bringing these stats to the leading edge as part of National Dog Bite Awareness Week.
Dana Gregory has actually been a mail employee for 26 years, in part due to the job stability and wage.
“I love working by myself, and I love being outside,” Gregory said.
On his path, he typically exchanges pleasantries with next-door neighbors in Charlotte. However, he prevents interactions with family pets.
“For most of us we love animals. I love dogs myself. We are just here to provide the service of delivering the mail,” Gregory said.
The preventative measures are a method to avoid injuries. According to USPS, Charlotte ranked No. 15 in the nation for dog attacks with 21 in 2022.
“The person who came before me may have a had a nice interaction with the pet, but for whatever reason the pet may react differently to my presence,” Gregory said.
A dog has not bitten him on the job, however he’s implemented a few of the training USPS has actually used. For example, he utilizes his pouch as a barrier in between him and the animal or spray dog repellent to keep the animal from coming better.
He said consumers can help avoid any negative encounters.
“Keep your pet leashed. If he’s not leashed, keep him contained within a fence and keep him away from the area we have to approach for delivery and if they do that, then it will be a great experience for us,” Gregory said.
After discovering the guidelines Wednesday, next-door neighbor Lynn Collins doesn’t intend on approaching Gregory with her leashed dog moving on.
“I certainly don’t want to do that. I don’t want anything to come to harm to my mail man,” Collins said.
A dog alert function on the provider’s scanners might likewise recommend them about a possible dog danger. When a provider feels hazardous, mail service might be stopped for the dog owner and the area. In these cases, mail needs to be gotten at the USPS.
