The Postal Service’s efforts to reduce dog attacks don’t end when the organization’s annual prevention campaign concludes each spring.
Areas, districts and individual Post Offices promote dog bite awareness all year long.
For example, Eastern Area has pursued an aggressive campaign that has helped reduce the number of attacks against employees by more than 8 percent this year.
“We take employee safety very seriously, and preventing dog attacks is a key component of our strategy,” said Eastern Area VP Joshua Colin.
Since the spring, newspapers in Eastern Area have published almost 200 letters to the editor by local Postmasters, while more than two dozen letter carriers have appeared on local TV newscasts to promote safety tips.
Eastern also mailed 150,000 postcards with tips. The eye-catching mailer features an image of a snarling dog that turns friendly when the card is tilted.
Meanwhile, Western Area’s Colorado/Wyoming District recently launched an awareness campaign in Pueblo, CO, where Sunset Station recorded eight attacks this year.
“It’s a community issue. I know we can come together to solve this issue,” said Postmaster Minette Williams.
The district’s efforts include better communication with local police and the creation of a task force of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) representatives and postal leaders who are developing a dog-threat notification system.
“Union, management, everyone — we all want everyone to go home safely every day,” said Pueblo NALC President Donald Hemphill.