SAN FRANCISCO, CA — It’s never too late to teach a dog a new trick, even a dog owner. While dogs may not understand social distancing, it is critical they know how to stay socially distant as carriers make critical deliveries to residences and businesses in your neighborhood.

To help prevent dog-bite incidents, the San Francisco Post Office is challenging pet owners to be creative and show how they are keeping carriers safe by posting their own “Sit, Stay, Selfie” dog photo.

From June 21 to June 25, dog owners can post a picture that demonstrates how they help their local mail carrier stay safe and out of harm’s way as they make their appointed rounds. Customers can use the hashtag #DogBiteAwarenessSF to help promote efforts to reduce dog bites.

A recent report named San Francisco as a one of the top 25 in the nation’s worst for dog attacks, with more than 14 attacks last year. Nationwide, more than 6,000 postal employees were attacked last year.

The week-long dog bite prevention campaign comes at a time when more Bay Area residents still find themselves staying home and the incidents of dog attacks on postal carriers also tend to increase.

“Protecting our neighborhood carriers from dog bites is a collective community effort,” said San Francisco Postmaster Avinesh Kumar. “With the support of dog owners, they can teach themselves and their dogs a new trick.”

Children and other family members at home may rush to the door when they see a mail carrier and the household dog usually follows right behind, leaving the carrier vulnerable to a dog attack.

Pet owners are asked to wait for the carrier to leave the area before opening the door to get their mail or package. Too many dogs have slipped between an owner’s legs while the door is open and attacking the carrier. Dogs should be restrained and/or kept in another room as mail carriers make personal deliveries.

If dogs are outside, make sure they are properly restrained and out of reach of a mail carrier. If the carrier deems the residence unsafe due to an unrestrained dog, delivery will be interrupted and will not resume until carriers have assurance the dog will be restrained. During that time, individuals will have to pick up their mail at a post office.

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