Pet owners can prevent dog attacks
As we learned in the Wednesday, June 11, edition of the Butler Eagle, two local U.S. Postal Service employees recently were recognized for helping to prevent a dog attack in March.
West Sunbury postmaster Tony Kriley and Mount Oliver letter carrier Jamie Stevens helped to save Mount Oliver resident Janet Taylor when she was cornered by a dog on March 6.
The pair used dog-repellent spray and their Post Office training to intervene, and they’re being honored with the United States Postal Service’s Postmaster General Hero Award for their actions.
The eternal unease present between mail carriers and neighborhood dogs has been the fodder for jokes by lazy comedians for decades, but it’s a serious problem.
Last year, there were 316 carriers bitten by dogs in Pennsylvania, making the state sixth in the nation for most bites.
In all, more than 6,000 postal employees were attacked by dogs last year.
“The best way to keep safe from dog attacks is to recognize and promote the responsibility of pet ownership — such as teaching your dog appropriate behavior and commands, and not allowing your dog to roam freely,” said Leeann Theriault, USPS employee safety and health awareness manager. “All dogs — regardless of breed, size or age — have the potential to bite.”
It’s important that responsible pet owners keep their dogs secured, to protect not just mail carriers but anyone passing by.
— JK
