(NAPS)—Can youpicture a member ofyour family attacking a mailcarrier? Of course you couldn't, but it happened 5,714 timeslastyearacross the nation. Dearborn, Mich., letter carrier ‘Tameka Toliver recalls being pinned on a porch by a dogthat bit her above her knee. “It happenedsofast, even with all mytraining,I barely hadtimeto react? Toliver said last year. “I'm still scared whenI get close to that house because I remembertheattacksovividly.It takes a long timetoget overthefear.” Whena dogattacks letter carrier, the dog owner could beheldliable for all medical expenses, repayment oflost work hours, replacementofthe uniform and other costs, which can run into thousandsofdollars. The Postal Service placesthesafety ofits employees as a top priority and dedicates a week each April to Dog Bite Awareness. Here are four simple tips to prevent dog bite injuries that should be enforced year-round: Door Delivery: If a carrier deliv- ers mail or packages to your front door, place your dog in a separate room and close that door before openingthe front door. Some dogsburst through screen doorsorplate-glass windowsto attack visitors. Electronic Fencing: Although the electronic fence may keep your dog from wandering, it does not protect yourPostal Service carrier, who must enter your property to deliver the mail. Even homeswith curbside mail- If your dog bites a postal carri could cost you thousands. boxes mayhaveoversized packages or signature-needed items that require the carrier to approach a doorstep and cross the boundaries of the electronic fence. Dogin Yard: Makesureyour dogis properly restrainedona leash away from where yourmail carrier is delivering the mail. Mail delivery service can beinter- rupted at an address or neighborhood the carrier deems unsafe because of an unrestrained dog. Whenservice is inter- rupted at an address or neighborhood, all parties involved will have to pick mailupattheir local postoffice. Tracking: Dog owners who have access to postal notification features such as Informed Delivery (informed delivery.usps.com)for letter mail and package tracking are urged to use this as a way to gauge whenthecarrieris on his or her wayandto ensuretheir dog is properly restrained.
