Public Affairs and Communications

DISTRICT MANAGERS POSTMASTERS

SUBJECT: National Dog Bite Prevention Week Publicity Kit for Postmasters

The news this year is disturbing. For the first time in more than a decade, dog bite-related injuries to letter carriers exceeded 3,000. An average of 10 letter carriers suffer a dog-related injury each delivery day. Even with all this suffering among members of our own organization, letter carriers rank third among people most often attacked by dogs. Children and the elderly rank first and second.

As leaders in the Postal Service and leaders in communities across the country, we all have a unique responsibility -and a unique opportunity -to help reduce dog bite injury. This National Dog Bite Prevention Week publicity kit has been produced to help you in this important role.

In recent weeks, you witnessed how our efforts educated the public about the Transformation Plan presented by the postmaster general to Congress. In communicating that blueprint for how the Postal Service will continue to provide universal service to the American public, we demonstrated how we can communicate important messages to employees, customers, and community leaders. The prevention of the pain and suffering caused by animal attacks is another important message we must share.

You will find that your audiences will be very receptive to your message this year. Recent animal attacks that have resulted in serious injury, and even death, have made national news. Whether you are standing in front of a community group, a classroom, or a group of employees, everyone is becoming increasingly aware of the need to reduce dog attacks.

In addition to highlighting the problem, you can be part of the solution. By using the tools in this kit to stage employee and media events, to distribute public service announcements, to provide your local newspapers with information through postmaster columns, and to discuss safety measures with your employees, you are helping to reduce dog bite injuries.

National Dog Bite Prevention Week is May 19-25 this year. Use it as an opportunity to get the word out about dog bite prevention, but don't limit your efforts to 7 days. The "dog days of summer" are a literal fact for the nation's letter carriers. Use the methods provided in this kit to raise this important safety issue all summer long.

Thank you!
Azeezaly S. Jaffer
Vice President
Public Affairs and Communications

cc: Vice Presidents, Area Operations
Manager, Capital Metro

475 L'Enfant Plaza SW
Washington DC 20260-3100