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National Dog Bite Prevention Week seeks to reduce risk of dog bites to postal carriers

By By EVAN WHITE

Story Created: May 27, 2008 at 12:37 PM EDT

Story Updated: May 27, 2008 at 1:00 PM EDT

UTICA - The United States Postal Service tries to put a leash on a serious health risk which postal carriers deal with each day - dangerous dogs.

National Dog Bite Prevention Week is an effort to curb the number of incidents between postal workers and man's supposed best friend.

Recent studies have shown that dog bites occur in greater numbers than reported incidents of measles, whooping cough and mumps. Safety measures are in place year-round, but the Utica Post Office says it's important that the public understands how serious this is.

"If you are ever bitten by a dog, there are medical expenses, if you happen to be a city carrier delivering mail you could be out of work for a period of time and more importantly you can't engage with your family, you may be laid up on a couch or in the hospital because of the severe nature of a dog bite," said David Jalonack, Utica Postmaster.

Jalonack explained that workers used to exercise caution around dogs, but today if a stray dog is near your home, they won't take the risk to deliver mail.
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