We all know the classic trope when it comes to mailmen. They're always getting barked at by dogs. Well, it's not just a trope, it's real life—as any dog owner (or mailman, for that matter) could very easily tell you.
But that whole shtick carries a lot more danger than you'd first expect. Whilst dogs are usually kept away from mailmen by the vast majority of owners, some aren't. How many do you think got bitten last year?
The number might surprise you—it's over 5,200 workers, according to the USPS. And, as reported by the New York Post, they've just started up their annual Dog Bite Awareness campaign.
The campaign does what it says on the tin—to make mailmen less likely to get attacked, and to promote "responsible pet ownership".
Leeann Theriault, who's an employee safety and health awareness manager for USPS, put things in perspective. In a statement, she explained, "Every single day, our postal employees serve their communities across dynamic, fast-changing environments."
She echoed the sentiment that "preventing dog-related incidents requires constant, shared vigilance." She added that even the most well-behaved of dogs can flip like a switch when they don't feel safe. And, sudden knocks on the door, or a doorbell ringing, cliché as it seems, might just do that for them.
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This Is More Important Than You'd Think—Listen to One Mail Carrier
One letter carrier recounted their absolutely terrifying experience. Fiona Hudson experienced a dog attack last year.
"I was walking my route when a dog jumped the fence and lunged at me. I was rushed to the hospital bleeding, with a broken bone, a severe arm sprain, and was barely able to move."
She added, "While my physical wounds have healed, the trauma of that vicious attack stays with me."
How Do I Make Sure Mailmen Don't Get Hurt?
Well, the agency has said it comes down to a few key steps.
The first one is to make sure that your dogs are secured before opening the door for your delivery. Think in another room behind a closed door or out in the backyard. Out of sight, out of mind, right? (For the dog!)
They have also urged customers to keep animals leashed when they're expecting a delivery, as well as to make sure any pets aren't nearby when they're opening up the door to mailmen.
