Detroit Ranks In Top 10 Cities For Dog Attacks On Mail Carriers; USPS Urges Owners To Take Precautions
(CBS DETROIT) -- Dog attacks in Detroit are at an all-time high.
The city had 34 attacks in 2021, ranking No. 9 among U.S. cities, according to a report released Thursday by the U.S. Postal Service. Additionally, the state of Michigan is among the 10 dog bite states, with a total of 244 attacks last year.
USPS kicks off its National Dog Bite Awareness Week public service campaign from June 5 through June 11.
The postal service advises that when a letter carrier comes to your home, keep dogs:
- Inside the house or behind a fence
- Away from the door or in another room
- On a leash
Pet owners are also advised to remind their children not to take mail directly from a carrier as dogs may view the carrier as a threat.
Letter carriers are trained to:
- Not startle a dog.
- Keep their eyes on the dog.
- Never assume a dog won't bite.
- Make some noise or rattle a fence to alert the dog if entering a yard.
- Never attempt to pet or feed a dog.
- Place their foot against an outward swinging door.
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