What:

Mail carriers in the State of Michigan have been attacked by a dog more than 253 times in 2020 (latest calculated statistics), ranking Michigan in the top 10 states for dog attacks. For local Kalamazoo area mail carriers, one bite is one too many. Mail carriers often have stories of dog bites, attacks and near misses to share.

On Tuesday, May 24, 2022 at 7:30 A.M. at the Kalamazoo Miller Road Post Office, 1121 Miller Road, mail carriers will join renowned professional dog trainer Hector Hernandez and his dog to demonstrate how to prevent dog bite injuries.

Kalamazoo area mail carriers want to deliver a special message to the community about working together to avoid the cost and pain of dog bites.

Who:

Hector Hernandez, Hector Speaks LLC, Dog Bite Prevention Trainer.
Postmaster Janet Hagen, Kalamazoo Post Office.
Kalamazoo Letter Carriers.

When:

Tuesday, May 24, 2022, at 7:30 a.m.

Where:

Kalamazoo Miller Road Post Office
1121 Miller Road
Kalamazoo, MI 49001

RSVP:

Please RSVP by Monday, May 23, 2022 to USPS Strategic Communications Specialist Elizabeth Najduch at elizabeth.najduch@usps.gov or (313) 268-0540.

Background:

Dog attacks are a year-round problem for postal carriers. But warmer weather and increased traffic in and out of homes and fences makes dog confrontations more likely.

The U.S. Postal Service takes a proactive stand on preventing dog attacks. Dog owners can assist by following these important tips:

• If a carrier delivers mail or packages to your front door, place your dog in a separate room and close that door before opening the front door. Some dogs burst through screen doors or plate-glass windows to attack visitors. Dog owners should keep the family pet secured.
• Parents should remind their children and other family members not to take mail directly from carriers in the presence of the family pet, as the dog may view the person handing mail to a family member as a threatening gesture.
• The Postal Service places the safety of its employees as a top priority. If a carrier feels threatened by a dog, or if a dog is loose or unleashed, the owner may be asked to pick up mail at a Post Office until the carrier is assured the pet has been restrained. If a dog is roaming the neighborhood, the pet owner's neighbors also may be asked to pick up their mail at the area’s Post Office.

The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

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