WHAT:

The Lexington Post Office, Lexington-Fayette County Animal Care & Control (LFACC), and the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department (LFHD) will host a press conference to bring awareness to Dog Bite Prevention.

WHO:

Branch 361 President Ken Becraft, National Association of Letter Carriers
Chief Nathan Bowling, LFACC
Public Information Officer Timothy Brown, LFACC
Environmental Health Team Leader Luke Mathis, Lexington-Fayette Co. Health Department
** Letter Carrier Jim Rice and LFACC Officer Aaron Evans both suffered injuries during a dog attack and will be available for interviews. 

WHEN:

10:00 a.m., Thursday, Apr. 12, 2018

Background:

The Postal Service annual Dog Bite Prevention Week aims to provide tips and information to avoid the high cost of dog bites - both emotional and physical - including associated medical and insurances costs.  The Insurance Information Institute reports the average cost paid out for dog bite claims nationwide was $37,051 in 2017.

Dog attack numbers were down in 2017.  There were 6,244 attacks involving letter carriers, nationwide; 500 less than in 2016.  The Postal Service attributes part of this reduction to advanced technology safety measures provided to carriers on their delivery scanners.  The scanners are able to send alerts if an unleashed dog is reported in a delivery area.

Lexington letter carriers will deliver a message on prevention to some customers with an eye-catching postcard mailing.  The postcard features a lenticular design, which is a shifting image of a dog that changes to attack mode when tilted.  The message on the postcard provides tips on how to keep family, neighbors, and letter carriers safe from dog attacks.