Dogs Don't Wait for Dog Days to Bite

The hot, sultry period between mid-July and September - known as Dog Days - are presumed by many to be the time of year dogs are most likely to be aggressive and bite someone. Statistics, however, prove otherwise.

In 2004 - as in previous years - the number of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)-reported dog attacks and bites among Postal ServiceTM employees began to rise during the months of April, May, and June for a total of 926 during that period. The number of incidents then began to decline during July, August, and September, falling to 890.

Now is the time when we must be prepared and educate our fellow employees on the prevention of dog attacks and bites. The Dog Days of summer will be too late.

The following testimony is from a girl named Kelly, who tells of a horrific experience that occurred when she was 7 years old.

Here's the News - Any Dog Can Bite

"I was not a stranger to my neighborhood dog when he suddenly attacked me. It was April 1999, and I had just turned seven. While walking past my neighbor's house, I saw the dog lying on his driveway and went over to pet it. He jumped on me and bit me in the face and throat. I suffered severe lacerations and puncture wounds in my face and neck, which required approximately 100 stitches. This brutal attack caused so much pain and suffering that a few months later I was treated by a psychologist for post-traumatic stress syndrome and depression."

Today's headlines are filled with stories of children and adults who have been injured - or even killed - in vicious animal attacks. Kelly Voigt, the 13-year-old girl from Palatine, Illinois, quoted above is among those who survived dog attacks, and whose bodies and minds will forever be marked by the incident. However, Kelly is using her experience to educate other children and adults on how to avoid such brutal attacks. Part of her program called Prevent the Bite includes her acronym WAIT, which stands for:

W - Wait to see if the dog looks friendly.

A - Ask the owner for permission to pet the dog.

I - Invite the dog to come to you to sniff you. Put
your hand to your side with your fingers curled
in.

T - Touch the dog gently to pet.

The steps of WAIT are only to be used with a dog that is on a leash with his owner. Never approach a dog that is loose.

Don't Be Fooled Because He's Cute

Jim Wallace fails to see the humor when comedy writers portray letter carriers being chased by the family dog for delivering bills. For Wallace and fellow Lancaster, Pennsylvania, letter carrier John Jordan, it's not a laughing matter. Both carriers have been recent victims of dog attacks while on their mail route. Wallace, a carrier for 26 years, said he was hoping to make it through to his retirement without a dog incident. That dream faded on Jan. 6, 2005. "I had a parcel I was delivering to this older lady. I could see three big dogs through the door and felt they were contained. When she opened the door to get the parcel, she couldn't keep the dogs back," Wallace said, "I was scared half to death. They knocked me down, tore my pants and broke the skin on my leg. I got up and made it back to the truck. Because they broke skin, I had to report it."

For Jordan, a 7-year veteran of the Postal Service, it was the real-life adventure of letting a sleeping dog lie. "This dog is sneaky. The dog will lie on the porch quietly and wait until I get into the yard and then he'll come tearing after me," Jordan said. "He is still a problem because they still keep him on a chain outside. We stopped delivery to that house, and they have to come to the Post Office to receive mail."

The Postal Service calls attention to - and continues its crusade against - one of the nation's most commonly reported public health problems: dog attacks and dog bites. This year's National Dog Bite Prevention Week program, scheduled the week of May 15-21, provides an opportunity for all Postal Service leaders to remind employees, customers, and community representatives of our joint responsibility to do everything possible to prevent animal attacks. It also offers safety tips and emphasizes the need for increased pet-owner responsibility in preventing these troubling attacks.

Contrary to how cartoonists and comedians portray dogs and letter carriers, children in the United States are the most frequent victims of dog bites and attacks. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), small children, the elderly, and Postal Service letter carriers - in that order - are the most frequent victims of dog bites and attacks. Nationally, children suffer more than 2 million incidents each year. In fiscal year 2003, the Postal Service averaged 11 dog bites per delivery day. Recent statistics show the annual number of dog attacks exceeds the reported instances of measles, whooping cough, and mumps combined. In addition, dog bite victims account for up to 5 percent of emergency room visits.

Protecting Your Children From Dog Bites

According to the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC), half of the 800,000 Americans seeking medical attention each year for dog bites are children. Of those injured, about a dozen die. The rate of dog bite- related injuries is highest for children ages 5 to 9, although the rate decreases as children age. Almost two-thirds of injuries among children ages 4 years and younger are to the head or neck region. Injury rates in children are significantly higher for boys than for girls.

Dog bites are a largely preventable public health problem. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) offers useful information to prevent dog attacks before they happen:

• Teach children to: Ask permission from a dog's owner before petting it. Never approach an unfamiliar dog. If you are standing up, stand still like a tree. Never look a dog directly in the eyes. Drop to the ground, curl in a ball and cover the head and face if a dog knocks you over. Never disturb a dog that is eating, sleeping, or caring for puppies. Never tease or play too rough with a dog. Never play with a dog before allowing it to see you and smell you first.

• Advice for owners: Never leave infants or children alone with a dog. Follow leash laws. Keep your dog healthy - an unnoticed injury can make your dog aggressive. Do not let dogs run loose. A dog is less likely to bite if its owners train it to interact with people and take it to obedience classes. Always supervise children when they play with dogs. Neuter your pet. Neutered dogs are less likely to bite.

• If a child is attacked: Try to loosen the dog's grip by pushing your arm against its throat. Place something between the child and the dog, like a jacket or a purse. Control the bleeding and wash the wound with soap and water. Then get medical help immediately to determine the risk of infection and/or rabies.

As we focus on the future of the Postal Service and on delivering value to the American public, we must do so with an ever-increasing resolve to promote the safety and well being of our employees and to take into account the costs associated with this problem. Medical expenses, workers' compensation, legal costs, delivery curtailment, carrier replacement, and other costs associated with dog bite accidents are estimated to exceed $25 million annually for the Postal Service. The cost in employee pain and suffering cannot be measured.

In a move to continue the momentum of previously successful public safety campaigns, we're asking postmasters to work with employees, organizations, local humane societies, animal shelters, and professionals to focus attention on this important safety issue.

This publicity and prevention kit contains all the tools needed to promote awareness among employees, communities, and pet owners. The 3,300 Postal Service employees who sustained OSHA-recordable injuries in fiscal year 2004 due to dog bites carry the memory of the incident with them every day. It's our responsibility to use the tools in this kit to help prevent those costly and painful injuries by reminding our communities that dog bites are no laughing matter.

FY 2003 and FY 2004 Total OSHA Recordable Dog Bite Accidents*

*Does not include dog incidents where there was no actual bite.

Build Community Awareness Through Media Attention (Television, Radio, and Print)

The media has always been very interested in the Postal Service's National Dog Bite Prevention Week campaign. The media can be your best ally when it comes to communicating the problem of dog attacks and the need for responsible pet ownership. Here are several ways to approach television, radio, and print media to get them to help promote awareness of this important issue:

• Two ideas for effective employee events that will be of particular interest to television stations and newspaper photographers, each followed by a news release and media advisory to announce your event.

• An offer to be interviewed, combined with public service announcements (PSAs), to take or send to local radio stations.

• Sample postmaster columns that you can suggest to your local newspaper editor.

These simple strategies will help make your media campaign a success.

The bracket symbols "[ ]" indicate words for which you need to make a decision on or insert information. If you need help with a media-related issue, contact the Public Affairs and Communications manager in your area (see page 27).

Employee Event the Media Will Love - a Chorus Line

Work with your employees to stage a 30-minute event in an area in the parking lot for camera crews just before carriers depart for their routes or in a public area inside in case it rains. Ask which employees would be willing to show their scars and tell their stories about encounters with dogs. It's their opportunity to help customers, friends, and neighbors protect themselves and their children from similar pain.

Consider inviting a pet trainer or someone from the local animal shelter, humane society, owners association, or neighborhood association to talk about animal safety and responsible pet ownership. Having a local animal shelter representative speak to the community about animal behavior and dog bites gives the "third-party endorsement" reporters use to validate news stories.

If you are in a smaller community, think about partnering with neighboring postmasters to hold a joint event. You'll have more examples, and you will be able to interest media from surrounding communities.

Planning the Event

Complete and mail the news release along with the dog bite prevention background material 2 weeks before the event, and send the media advisory 2 days before as well as on the morning of your event. You can also use the facts in the release to share brief remarks about the impact of dog bites on the Postal Service.

Give newspaper editors and television assignment editors a call between 10 A.M. and 11 A.M. a couple of days before the event as a follow-up to your original news release. You can also send the media advisory as another reminder. Just one note about a typical news day: editors are usually making assignments in the morning and will be busy in the afternoon as their deadlines approach. Late-morning calls are usually better. Just in case the editor asks for more information, have the news release and media advisory available before you make your telephone calls.

Ask the editor if he or she would be interested in covering a photo opportunity of letter carriers lining up, chorus line-style, to display their dog bite scars. You can create more interest if you describe dog bites as a community issue and not a Postal Service problem. Tell the editor that small children represent the majority of victims and are estimated to be 900 times more likely than letter carriers to be victimized by dog attacks.

Be sure to add that this is a good opportunity for the public to learn how to avoid dog bites, and an opportunity for dog owners to learn how to reduce the risk of their dog attacking someone.

On the Day of the Event

Give your remarks and then introduce the local animal shelter representative, who will speak about dog behavior and dog bites in the community. Just before your letter carriers are ready to leave for their routes, ask them to stand shoulder to shoulder and hold out their legs and/or arms to display dog bite scars. You can even add music. At this point you'll probably see camera crews and photographers move in for close-up shots.

After a couple of minutes, when the activity starts to die down, inform the media that the letter carriers are available to talk about dog bites and how to avoid them. But remind them they have only a few minutes, as the carriers must leave to deliver the mail. If reporters ask to follow a letter carrier on their route be sure to select someone who will represent your office well.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: [INSERT YOUR NAME]
[INSERT DATE] [INSERT YOUR PHONE NUMBER]
Internet: www.usps.com

SAMPLE PRESS RELEASE

A Different Kind of Chorus Line

[YOUR CITY] - A different kind of chorus line will be staged in a rather unusual setting on [DATE] promptly at [TIME]. It's all part of the Postal Service'sTM annual National Dog Bite Prevention Week program. To help their customers - especially the youngest ones - U.S. Postal Service® letter carriers at the [NAME OF OFFICE] at [ADDRESS OF OFFICE] are kicking up their heels and waving their arms to show the community the importance of preventing animal attacks.

While the country has become increasingly focused in the past year on the tragic injuries and deaths resulting from dog attacks, the Postal Service has been at the forefront of this issue for decades.

At one time experiencing as many as 7,000 dog bite injuries to its letter carriers in a single year, the Postal Service partnered with the Humane Society of the United States and other interested parties to teach people how to avoid dog attacks and how to protect themselves if an attack occurs. In recent years, a strong emphasis has also been placed on educating the public about responsible pet ownership.

Between October 2003 and September 2004, Postal Service employees experienced 3,300 dog bite-related injuries. While that number is disturbing, the most frequent victims of dog attacks are children. American children suffer an average of 2 million dog-bite injuries every year. "That's why our letter carriers have agreed to start `dancing in the street' to show the community their scars, share their stories and help their customers avoid the kind of pain they have already suffered," says Postmaster [POSTMASTER'S NAME].

In addition to the letter carrier chorus line [List any other officials who will participate in the event and any relevant information; for example, a safety or animal expert can talk about how to avoid attacks and what to do if one occurs].

[Attach dog bite prevention background on next page.]

# # #

Dog Bite Prevention Background

The Victims

• The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) reports that small children, the elderly, and letter carriers, in that order, are the most frequent victims. Dog attacks are the most commonly reported childhood public health problem in the United States.

• The AVMA also reports that the number of dog attacks exceeds the reported instances of measles, whooping cough, and mumps, combined. Dog bite victims account for up to 5 percent of emergency room visits.

• Many of the OSHA-recordable bites that were reported by 3,300 letter carriers in 2004 came from dogs whose owners said they would not bite.

• According to the AVMA, approximately 800,000 people are admitted to U.S. emergency departments annually with dog bite-associated injuries, and another 386,000 are seen in other medical settings.

How to Avoid Being Bitten

• Don't run past a dog. The dog's natural instinct is to chase and catch prey.

• If a dog threatens you, don't scream. Avoid eye contact. Try to remain motionless until the dog leaves, then back away slowly until the dog is out of sight.

• Don't approach a strange dog, especially one that's tethered or confined.

• While letter carriers are discouraged from petting animals, if you choose to pet a dog, always let the dog see and sniff you before petting the animal.

• If you believe a dog is about to attack you, try to place something between yourself and the dog, such as a backpack or a bicycle.

How to Be a Responsible Dog Owner

• Obedience training can teach dogs proper behavior and help you control your dog in any situation.

• When the letter carrier comes to your , keep your dog inside, away from the door, in another room or on a leash.

• Don't let your child take mail from the letter carrier in the presence of your dog. Your dog's instinct is to protect the family.

• Spay or neuter your dog. Neutered dogs are less likely to bite. Humane Society of the United States statistics reflect that dogs that have not been spayed or neutered are up to three times more likely to be involved in a biting incident than neutered or spayed dogs.

• Dogs that haven't been properly socialized, receive little attention or handling, or are left tied up for long periods of time frequently turn into biters.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: [INSERT YOUR NAME]
[INSERT DATE] [INSERT YOUR PHONE NUMBER]
Internet: www.usps.com

SAMPLE MEDIA ADVISORY

Letter Carriers at [CITY NAME] Post Office Set up a Very Special Chorus Line for a Very Special Reason

ATTENTION: News Editor

WHAT: Letter carriers of the [NAME] Post OfficeTM will line up chorus line-style and display their dog bite scars to promote dog bite prevention. Postmaster [NAME] and [NAME] of [ANY OTHER PARTICIPATING HEALTH OR ANIMAL PROTECTION AGENCY] will speak about the problem of dog bites to the Postal ServiceTM and the community.

Media can also obtain tips on how to avoid dog bites and learn what dog owners can do to reduce the chances their pet will injure someone.

WHEN: [DATE AND TIME. Preferably no earlier than 10 A.M., or just before letter carriers depart for their routes].

WHERE: [POST OFFICE LOCATION]

BACKGROUND: The 3,300 letter carriers bitten by dogs last year pales in comparison to the more than 2 million children who were needlessly victimized by dogs. The owners of many canines involved in those attacks believed their pet would never bite. This year, the U.S. Postal Service® and its letter carriers are working to prevent those painful, sometimes fatal, injuries by promoting community awareness and responsible pet ownership.

CONTACT: [NAME], postmaster at [TELEPHONE].

# # #

Employee Event the Media Will Love - a Picnic and a Parade

This is an opportunity to achieve two objectives. You can organize a Postal Service employee family event and at the same time make the community aware of the serious issue of dog attacks. Ask which employees and respective union leaders would be willing to participate in a planning committee and then divide the tasks among them.

The event would start with a short parade, providing you have secured a permit, to the prearranged picnic site. Letter carriers and their families would parade through a residential neighborhood to bring attention to the issue of dog bite prevention. Signs with brief dog bite statistics and facts about prevention are a nice addition.

Invite letter carriers who have previously been injured by dogs to lead the parade. By walking with their families, they put a human face on the statistic of 3,300 letter carriers injured by Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA)-recordable dog bites last fiscal year. They can tell their stories, and perhaps show their scars, to help others avoid the kind of pain they have suffered.

Consider inviting someone from a local animal shelter to join you to talk about animal safety and responsible pet ownership. In smaller communities, consider partnering with neighboring postmasters to hold a joint event. You'll have more examples, and you will be able to interest media in surrounding communities.

Be mindful in selecting your parade route and picnic site. While it makes sense to use this opportunity to bring attention to problem areas of your community, do not create a parade route that you know is unsafe. Also check with city officials to obtain any necessary parade permits.

Planning the Event

Complete and mail the news release 2 weeks before your event. You can also use the facts in the release to share brief remarks about the impact of dog bites on the Postal Service.

Give newspaper editors and television assignment editors a call between 10 A.M. and 11 A.M. a couple of days before the event as a follow-up to your original news release. You can also send the media advisory as another reminder. Just one note about a typical news day: editors are typically making assignments in the morning and will be busy in the afternoon as their deadlines approach. Late morning calls are usually better. Just in case the editor asks for more information, have the news release and media advisory available before you make your telephone calls. Timing your parade to begin on a Sunday around 10 A.M. will give you the best chance for media coverage.

Ask the editor if he or she would be interested in covering a parade of Postal Service employees and their families who are taking the message of dog bite prevention to the streets of their community. You can create more interest if you describe dog bites as a community issue and not a Postal Service problem. Tell the editor that small children represent the majority of victims and are estimated to be 900 times more likely to be victimized by dog attacks than letter carriers.

Be sure to add that this is a good opportunity for the public to learn how to avoid dog bites and an opportunity for dog owners to learn how to reduce the risk of their dog attacking someone. Make sure the news editor knows that they will be able to talk with letter carriers who have been bitten by dogs and learn how the event affected them and their families.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: [INSERT YOUR NAME]
[INSERT DATE] [INSERT YOUR PHONE NUMBER]
Internet: www.usps.com

SAMPLE PRESS RELEASE

[CITY NAME] Post Office and [LOCAL ANIMAL SHELTER] Lead the Parade for Dog Bite Prevention

[CITY] - They walk the streets of [CITY] every day, but Sunday, [DATE] at [TIME], [YOUR CITY] letter carriers are bringing friends and family along with them to deliver a very special message. The message they will deliver has received a lot of media attention lately, but it is one that letter carriers have been concerned about for decades. It is the need for the entire community to work together to avoid the cost and pain of dog bites.

Last year more than 3,300 letter carriers in the nation suffered the pain of dog bites. But that number pales in comparison to the more than 2 million children who suffered dog bite injuries in a single year. "That's why we're coming out on a Sunday to deliver this important message," says Postmaster [POSTMASTER NAME]. "Several of our letter carriers know first-hand about both the prevention and the pain of dog attacks, and we want to do whatever we can to help educate the community - especially parents and pet owners."

Letter carriers who are on the job, having recovered from dog attacks, will lead the parade and are available to talk about their experience. [NAME OF HEALTH CARE OR ANIMAL PROTECTION OFFICIAL] will join letter carriers along their route to talk about dog bite prevention and responsible pet ownership. A sample of some important facts that officials can share is attached. [Attach dog bite prevention background.]

The parade route will be [Describe the parade's route so reporters can catch up with you if they miss the beginning of the parade].

# # #

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: [INSERT YOUR NAME]
[INSERT DATE] [INSERT YOUR PHONE NUMBER]
Internet: www.usps.com

SAMPLE MEDIA ADVISORY

[CITY NAME] Post Office and [LOCAL ANIMAL SHELTER] Deliver a Very Special Message This [DAY]

ATTENTION: News Editors

WHAT: Letter carriers of the [NAME] Post OfficeTM will be joined by their friends, family and even some of their pets as they deliver a very important message to the community. [The appearance of a well-trained dog owned by one of your letter carriers will help dispel the myth that postal employees don't like dogs.] Postmaster [NAME] and [NAME] of the [LOCAL HEALTH OR ANIMAL PROTECTION AGENCY] will speak about the problem of dog bites to the Postal ServiceTM and the community as they travel a parade route through the [NAME] community.

Letter carriers who will lead the parade have recovered from dog attacks and will share their stories in order to help others avoid the pain they have gone through.

Media can also obtain tips on how to avoid dog bites and learn what dog owners can do to reduce aggressive pet behavior.

WHEN: Sunday, [DATE AND TIME, preferably no earlier than 10:00 A.M.].

WHERE: The parade will begin at [DESCRIBE PARADE ROUTE] and end at [PICNIC LOCATION].

BACKGROUND: The 3,300 letter carriers bitten by dogs in 2004 pales in comparison to the more than 2 million children who were needlessly victimized by dogs during the same time frame. The owners of many canines claimed their pet "would never bite" or even "wouldn't hurt a fly." This year, the U.S. Postal Service® and its letter carriers are working to prevent these painful, sometimes fatal, injuries by promoting community awareness and responsible pet ownership.

CONTACT: Postmaster [POSTMASTER NAME] at [TELEPHONE].

# # #

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: [INSERT YOUR NAME]
[INSERT DATE] [INSERT YOUR PHONE NUMBER]
Internet: www.usps.com

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS

May 15-21 is National Dog Bite Prevention Week

Below you will find three public service announcements (PSAs) for your consideration. Spring is here, more people and dogs will be outdoors, so this is the perfect time to participate in an education campaign aimed at reducing these painful, costly attacks.

For decades, the U.S. Postal Service® has taken a leadership role in preventing dog attacks even though letter carriers are members of the third most likely group to be bitten. Children rank first and the elderly second. More information is found on the Dog Bite Prevention Background sheet attached. [Attach dog bite prevention background.]

Please join the Postal ServiceTM in this important public education campaign by using these public service announcements and by interviewing Postal Service, animal protection and public health officials during National Dog Bite Prevention Week.

PSA 1

It's that time of year again, and the Postal ServiceTM, health care providers and animal protection professionals need your help. Last year, nationwide, 3,300 letter carriers sustained dog bite injuries. But that pales in comparison to the more than 4.7 million people - most of them children and the elderly - who are bitten by dogs each year. You can help protect your letter carrier, meter reader, newspaper delivery person or your neighbors' children by making sure your pet is properly restrained. Be a responsible pet owner. Help prevent the injuries and death caused by animal attacks. This message is a public service of this station and your local Post OfficeTM.

PSA 2

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, 44 people died "between 1999 and 2003" after being bitten by a dog. Most of the victims - 24 of them - were children under the age of 12. That's why the nation's letter carriers, who suffered more than 3,300 dog bite injuries last year, are reminding pet owners to restrain their dogs to protect letter carriers, meter readers, children and others who may come near their dogs. This message is a public service of this station and your local Post OfficeTM.

PSA 3

Pet owners, did you know that if your dog attacks a letter carrier, you could be held liable for all medical expenses and other costs, which can run into thousands of dollars?

Don't think your fence is the only protection you need - especially if a letter carrier or delivery person must enter your yard. The Postal ServiceTM is not anti-dog, but pro- responsibility. Responsible pet ownership includes making sure your pet is properly restrained. Last year, nationally, more than 3,300 letter carriers sustained OSHA-recordable dog bites while delivering the mail. Help your letter carrier deliver safely for you. This message is a public service of this station and your local Post OfficeTM.

# # #

Sample Postmaster Columns

Using these columns will help you spread the word about the Postal Service's efforts to protect letter carriers and children in the community. The message is that dog bites are a serious matter and, by helping protect letter carriers, the public is protecting everyone.

Retype these columns on your letterhead and take or send them to your local newspapers. It's a good idea to localize the articles with experiences from your own Post Office or community. Contact local newspaper editors to propose running the column weekly for 3 weeks. You should also post copies of these columns in your lobby and employee break room.

Although the material is designed specifically for use during the spring, you also can use it to build community awareness throughout the summer.

Postmaster Column #1
Children Suffer Most Dog Bites
by [NAME], Postmaster [CITY]

For every letter carrier bitten, hundreds of children needlessly suffer the pain and trauma of dog bites. Whatever the reasons for them, dog bites are a serious problem for the entire community, not just letter carriers trying to deliver your mail. Nationwide, U.S. Postal Service® carriers suffered 3,300 dog bites last year. That's an average of 11 dog attacks every delivery day, and that figure does not include the number of threatening incidents that did not result in injury.

These numbers pale in comparison with the more than 4.7 million people - mostly children and the elderly - who suffer injuries from dog attacks each year.

In [CITY] last year, dogs bit [NUMBER] letter carriers and there were [NUMBER or you can estimate a number if possible] instances where dogs interfered with mail delivery. Fortunately, most dog bites can be prevented through responsible pet ownership.

[If you did have dog bites last year, use the previous paragraph and insert a paragraph or two here giving a few details, such as the seriousness of the incidents and the amount of lost time. If you had no dog bites or no cases of dogs interfering with mail delivery last year, omit the previous paragraph.]

If a letter carrier needs to deliver a certified letter or a package to you, put your dog into a separate room before opening your front door. Dogs have been known to burst through screen doors or plate-glass windows to get at strangers.

Just ask Dover, Delaware, Postmaster Jack Bailey. A letter carrier at his Post OfficeTM, who had survived eight attacks during his 20-year career, felt secure in his ability to avoid dog bites. He owns four dogs himself. But, in February 1993, that carrier would be scarred for life - both physically and emotionally.

While delivering to a mailbox at the entrance to a customer's , the carrier watched in horror as a 100-pound dog charged the front door. Instinctively, he braced his foot against the door as the dog backed up to charge again. This time, the animal crashed through the Plexiglas-plated door and tore into the flesh of his arm.

"It happened so quickly that he didn't have time to react," explains Bailey. "The animal's bite so severely shredded his left arm that he has undergone several restorative surgeries and may never have full use of his arm," says Bailey. [Feel free to substitute this example with a local one if it is appropriate.]

Nationally, the number of carriers bitten by dogs has declined over the years. This is because of greater cooperation from dog owners, stricter leash laws, and stepped-up efforts to educate letter carriers and the public about dealing with the problem.

Our letter carriers are vigilant and dedicated, but we may be forced to stop mail delivery at an address if a letter carrier is threatened by a vicious dog. In some instances, Postal ServiceTM employees have sued and collected damages for dog bite injuries. We can't control people's dogs; only dog owners can do that.

While some attribute attacks on letter carriers to dogs' inbred aversion to uniforms, experts say the psychology actually runs much deeper. Every day that a letter carrier comes into a dog's territory, the dog barks and the letter carrier leaves. Day after day the dog sees this action repeated. After a week or two, the dog appears to feel invincible against intruders. Once the dog gets loose, there's a good chance it will attack.

Dog owners should remind their children about the need to keep the family dog secured. We also recommend parents ask their children not to take mail directly from letter carriers. A dog may see handing mail to a child as a threatening gesture.

These simple reminders and helpful tips can reduce the hazard of dog attacks. Help us to help you this spring and summer.

This is the first in a series of three columns by [CITY] Postmaster [NAME] addressing the problem of dog attacks, both in the Postal Service and in the community. Next week: "Why Do Some Dogs Bite?"

# # #

Postmaster Column #2
Why Do Some Dogs Bite?
by [NAME], Postmaster [CITY]

Would your dog bite? The American Veterinary Medical Association estimates that more than 4.7 million dog bites are reported to local authorities each year. Countless more go unreported.

Dog bites can range from a relatively painless nip to a fatal mauling. Dog bite victims account for up to 5 percent of all hospital emergency room visits. Children are most often the victims. Of the 44 people who died from dog attacks between 1999 and 2003, 24 of them were children under the age of 12. Dog attacks are the most commonly reported childhood public health problem in the United States.

You may feel confident that your dog won't add to these statistics, and it is probably true that your trusty companion will never seriously harm anyone. However, if your dog does attack or bite someone, you could be liable for the victim's pain, suffering, and medical expenses. Potential victims include your letter carrier and neighborhood children. There are several ways you can avoid liability. Reducing the likelihood your dog will ever bite someone helps protect you, your canine companion and everyone else in the community.

Why Some Dogs Bite

Although dogs may bite for a variety of reasons, spaying or neutering has been shown to reduce aggressiveness. Bite statistics show that dogs that have not been spayed or neutered are up to three times more likely to be involved in a biting incident. Lack of socialization, improper training, excitement, and fear can all contribute to a dog attack.

Three Suggestions to Help Take the Bite Out of Your Dog:

• Teach your dog appropriate behavior. Don't play aggressive games with your dog such as wrestling, tug of war or siccing your dog on another person. It's essential that your dog recognize members of your family as dominant figures not to be challenged.

• Be a responsible pet owner. For everyone's safety, don't allow your dog to roam. Make your pet a member of your family. Dogs that spend too much time tethered to a dog house or in the back yard have a much greater chance of developing aggressive behavioral problems.

• Stay on the safe side. Help your dog become accustomed to a variety of situations. If you don't know how your dog will react to a new situation, be cautious. If you think your dog could panic in a crowd, leave him or her at . If your dog may overreact to visitors or delivery people, keep him or her in another room. Even a nip on the leg is unacceptable behavior for a family dog.

This is the second in a series of three columns by [CITY] Postmaster [NAME] addressing the problem of dog attacks, both in the Postal ServiceTM and in the community. Next week: "Protecting the Community."

# # #

Postmaster Column #3
Protecting the Community
by [NAME], Postmaster [CITY]

Last year, dog bites resulted in 3,300 injuries to letter carriers nationwide. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that nearly 2 percent of the American population is bitten by a dog each year, and most of the victims are children.

Clearly, parents must never leave a defenseless infant with a dog and must make sure that older children know the potential danger of dog bites. It is also important to know that studies have shown that dogs are three times more likely to be involved in a biting incident if they have not been spayed or neutered.

To learn more about the importance of neutering or spaying your pets, visit the American Partnership for Pets (APP) Web page at www.americanpartnershipforpets.org. APP is an unprecedented coalition of more than 25 leading and influential animal health and welfare organizations, community animal care and control services and veterinarians.

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has found that the breed of animal most commonly involved in dog attacks can change from year to year and from one part of the country to another, depending on the popularity of the breed. According to the HSUS, while some breeds are more likely to bite, other factors such as whether the animal has been spayed or neutered, and whether the animal has been properly socialized, safely confined, properly supervised and humanely trained play great roles in a dog's tendency to bite. Dog owners can prevent serious injuries to others by realizing their important role in dog bite prevention.

This concludes a series of three columns by [CITY] Postmaster [NAME] addressing the problem of dog attacks, both in the Postal ServiceTM and in the community.

# # #

Community Involvement

Most people think children and dogs go together naturally, and they often do. But, it may shock you to learn that children are the most common victims of dog bites. You can use the following talk and the enclosed handout to alert schoolchildren to two important points in preventing dog bites: responsible pet ownership and safe behavior around dogs.

Sponsoring a poster contest gets children involved in spreading the word about preventing dog bites. And the colorful posters that result are a great way to get the word out to the public.

Get postmasters and station managers to hang posters or display in lobbies or local high-traffic grocery stores.

The postmaster is one of the key leaders in the community. Postmasters should use their influence to win support from other key leaders for our campaign to reduce dog attacks and dog bites. The suggestions in this section will get you started toward some cooperative campaigning for dog bite awareness.

Postmaster Speech for Schoolchildren

[Make the presentation light and fun. Even though this is a serious subject, children will respond to your being friendly and approachable. Be sure to tell the children what a postmaster is/does.]

Good morning boys and girls.

My name is [NAME] and I'm your postmaster.

[Tell the children what a postmaster is/does.]

How many of you have dogs at or have friends who own a dog? [Listen to responses.] Have you or any of your friends ever been bitten by a dog? [Listen to responses.] Well, I'll bet you didn't like it, did you?

At the Post Office where I work, the people who deliver your mail get bitten, too. Sometimes they have to go to the hospital and can't do their job for a long time. The dog's owner may have to pay a big hospital bill. And the mail may not be delivered to that house until the owners promise to keep the dog fenced in.

I don't want anybody at work to be bitten, and I don't want any of you to get bitten, either. That's why I'm here today, because I need your help.

There are several things you can do to help out. The most important thing is to stop your dog from getting outside and running loose. When you go outside, make sure to close the door tight, and when you are playing with your dog in the yard, make sure you close the gate so he does not get out.

When you see the letter carrier coming down your street, look around and make sure your dog is either inside or securely fenced away from the mailbox.

When the letter carrier gets to your house, let him or her put the mail in your mailbox. Never reach out to take the mail yourself, because your dog might think the letter carrier is a threat to you even though we know that isn't true.

After the letter carrier has delivered the mail and gone, you still need to watch out for loose dogs. Never step too close to a strange dog. Even if he looks friendly, he might still bite.

I am going to give each of you a list of things you can do to help keep dogs from biting your letter carrier, your friends, and yourself. I want you to take this list and talk to your parents about it. See if they will help you keep your dog from getting outside.

If you do that, your letter carrier won't have to worry about going to the hospital because of a dog bite, and we can deliver everyone's mail safely and quickly.

Dog Bite Prevention Tips for Kids - How You Can Help Prevent Dog Bites

To help make your neighborhood safe for the letter carrier, yourself, and other people, just remember these simple rules:

• Find out what time the letter carrier usually brings your mail.

• When the letter carrier is due to visit your house, check to be sure your dog is inside. Keep the dog inside until the letter carrier is gone.

• If someone needs to open the door to sign for a letter, first put the dog in another room and close the door.

• If you have a mail slot, keep your dog away from the slot so the carrier's fingers don't get bitten.

• If your mailbox is inside your fenced yard, and your dog is too, keep the dog on a leash away from the mailbox during the time your letter carrier delivers the mail.

• When your dog is outside, never walk up to the letter carrier and ask for your mail. Your dog may think you are being threatened.

• If you see a dog running loose in your neighborhood, tell your parents.

• Never, ever approach a strange dog.

Poster Contest

If you plan to sponsor a poster contest for schoolchildren, you will need to furnish some slogans and a set of rules. It's also standard procedure to appoint judges and offer some kind of reward or prize for the winners.

Where young children are involved, it's a good idea to make everybody feel like a winner. In addition to the three main prizes (we recommend commemorative stamp sets), try to offer something for participation. Perhaps you could obtain a number of special pictorial postmarks of local interest.

Be sure to furnish the media with information about when the contest will start, what schools are participating, who will judge the contest, and where the entries will be displayed.

Suggested slogans:

• Good neighbors keep good control of their dogs.

• Good fences make good dogs better.

• Mail time is time to take your pooch inside.

• Letter carriers love dogs on a leash.

• A dog on the loose is bad news.

Have the posters judged on originality, clarity of the dog bite message, and quality of the artwork. A panel of judges might consist of an art teacher, a letter carrier, an animal control officer, and a member of the PTA. State that the decision of the judges will be final and list the prizes. If possible, have the grand prize-winning poster reproduced and sent to the schools. Try to display all the entries in the Post Office lobby or local grocery stores. Children and parents will be looking for them.

Suggested contest rules:

• The Dog Bite Awareness Poster Contest is open to students in grades 1 through 5 from now until [MONTH, DAY, YEAR].

• The theme is [CHOOSE THEME].

• Only one entry per student will be accepted.

• Students must design and complete posters without help.

• Entries must be [Choose: e.g., 11" x 17", horizontal or vertical, black and white or color, in any two-dimensional medium (crayon, charcoal, water-color, marker, paint, etc.)].

• Posters will not be returned. By entering, a student agrees to give the Postal Service full ownership of the artwork and reproduction rights if it is selected as the grand prize winner.

• Each entry must have an entry form attached to the back. Posters with incomplete forms will not be considered.

• Entries must be submitted by [DATE] to be considered for judging.

• Winners will be notified by mail.

Working With Community Leaders

• Seek ideas from other postmasters. When attending various management meetings, seminars, training sessions, or conventions, take time to discuss dog bite prevention and other safety programs with your peers. Many postmasters have come up with some innovative ideas and developed excellent dog bite awareness campaigns.

• Visit area schools to discuss dog bite prevention with students. Many local animal control officials and veterinarians will participate, particularly when they can stage a pet licensing and rabies vaccination effort at the same time.

• Holding a dog bite awareness poster contest for local elementary school students is another way to involve the schools. Arrange to display the entries at the Post Office for a day and invite parents and the media. Give a short talk or provide handout information on dog bite awareness.

• Locate a local dog obedience club and allow it to stage a 1-day free dog training session at your Post Office. (An excellent time is after the office closes on Saturday.) Publicize the event and invite the media. (Note: If employees are involved, be aware of Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requirements.)

• Locate a scout troop or similar organization and encourage it to make a project of creating public awareness of dog bite dangers. This could be of interest to Boy Scouts who are earning their "Dog Care" and "Safety" merit badges. Help them publicize their efforts through the local media.

• Contact your local utility companies to participate in some of your events. They are attuned to public service, and they have their own dog bite problems.

Information for All Employees

This section offers tools that postmasters can use to help educate employees to do their jobs as safely as possible.

Give the following stand-up talk to your letter carriers. The talk focuses on the seriousness of dog bites, what carriers should do about a problem dog on their route, and what to do if a dog attacks. Also, let letter carriers know that you are supporting them by mailing out progressive warning letters to owners whose dogs are unrestrained. Sample warning letters are included on pages 25-26.

The true-or-false quiz "Are You an Unwary Visitor?" can educate letter carriers on proper behavior around dogs and is an interesting way to share important information. A letter carrier who knows the answers to the quiz is less likely to be a dog bite victim. Post the quiz, print it in a newsletter, or distribute it as a handout to your letter carriers and supervisors.

The Postal Service also offers a dog repellent spray for letter carriers. Publication 174, How to Avoid Dog Bites: Dogs and Dog Repellent, describes the spray and its use. Information from that publication is included in this section. Post the information, publish it in a newsletter, or reproduce it as a handout for supervisors and carriers. Tell carriers how to obtain repellent.

Use "Basic Dog Bite Prevention Rules for Letter Carriers to Follow" as a reinforcing stand-up talk or a posting.

Postmaster Stand-Up Talk

Safety Talk for Letter Carriers

It won't be long until school lets out for the summer and children begin to spend their days outside playing.

We all know that means taking extra care to watch out for children playing around our vehicles, but it also is the time of year to be on the lookout for loose dogs. Many of these pets have been in the house or confined to the backyard all winter and manage to get out when children leave a door or gate open.

Last year, approximately 4.7 million people suffered dog bites in the United States, including 3,300 letter carriers. That means an average of 10 letter carriers is injured by a dog bite each delivery day.

[Share some examples of injured letter carriers that are found in this guide or examples from your own Post Office.]

Loose dogs are a serious problem for everyone. As letter carriers, you are not only doing yourself a favor, you are helping everyone in the community by getting these animals off the street. Letter carriers are the third most frequent victims of dog attacks; children and the elderly rank first and second.

One tool we have in controlling the dog problem is a policy of withholding delivery where dogs are a threat. Report all incidents to the postmaster or the carrier supervisor, who will decide what action needs to be taken. If a phone call to the customer doesn't take care of the situation, we have a series of progressive warning letters that could ultimately lead to the suspension of mail service to the customer's .

Besides making us all aware of potential dog bite problems that need to be addressed, there are several things you can do to avoid dog bite situations:

• Watch out for dogs along your route and be aware of places a dog can hide.

• Never hand mail to a child or adult while in view of a dog.

• Place one foot at the base of doors that open outward to prevent a dog from rushing out.

• Learn to recognize the warning signs that a dog is about to attack: tail high and stiff, ears up, hair on back standing up and teeth showing.

• Report all incidents regarding dogs to supervisors.

• Dogs are very territorial animals who react aggressively when someone invades their territory or "danger zone." When you find yourself in a dog's danger zone, you should stop immediately and remain still, allowing the dog's anger to subside.

• If confronted, face the dog without making direct eye contact and back away slowly. Be submissive, but don't run. If you run, the dog is going to try to knock you to the ground and you could be seriously hurt.

• Put something between you and the dog, such as a package or pouch. Don't try to make friends with the dog, pet it, or put your hands or face near it. And if the dog does bite, try not to pull away because that may cause further injury. Instead, try to make the dog release its hold.

• Quickly obtain medical attention and report all injuries.

We all watch the news and know that the potential for serious injury cannot be ignored. Be vigilant about the threat of dog attacks for your safety, for your family, and for the children and elderly in our community.

# # #

Basic Dog Bite Prevention Rules for Letter Carriers

Dogs are self-elected and sometimes highly trained protectors of their masters and their property. To them, you are an intruder. You must prepare yourself for a new challenge each day from every dog you meet as you go about your daily work.

• Observe the area. Take a quick glance at all the places a dog might be located, such as under parked cars, under hedges, on the porch, etc.

• Size up the situation. Is the dog large or small? Is it asleep, barking, growling, nonchalant, etc.?

• Don't show fear. A dog is more apt to bite you if it knows you are afraid.

• Don't startle a dog. If it is asleep, make some kind of nonstartling noise, such as soft whistling. Do this before you are close to the dog, while you still have time and space for an "out."

• Never assume a dog won't bite. You may encounter a certain dog for days or weeks without incident; then one day, it might decide to bite you.

• Keep your eyes on the dog. A dog is basically a coward and a sneak and is more apt to bite you when you aren't looking.

• Stand your ground. If a dog comes toward you, turn and face it. If you have a satchel, hold it in front of you and back away slowly, making sure you don't stumble and fall.

• Never turn and run.

Progressive Warning Letters and Thank You Letter for Postal Managers

This section offers materials for you to use to help your letter carriers do their jobs more safely. You can use the progressive warning letters in this section to alert dog owners to the possible loss of mail delivery if they do not restrain their pets. And don't forget to send a letter of thanks when they do!

Warning letters, like collection letters, need to be handled tactfully. The first and second sample letters below tells customers what we want them to do. The third tells them we have taken corrective steps. The fourth details the customers' options. In using these letters, keep in mind that our purpose is not to police the neighborhood but to obtain a safe environment in which carriers can do their work. Though most customers will respond to your first polite request, be meticulous in following up if they don't. Otherwise your efforts will not be taken seriously.

Sample Warning Letter #1

Dear Postal Customer:

Your letter carrier takes pride in delivering your mail promptly and efficiently. That means being able to approach your mailbox without interference from your pet.

Although your dog may not be known to bite or otherwise be dangerous to people, your carrier has expressed concern about its behavior. I believe you will agree that this concern is understandable since each year thousands of letter carriers are bitten or physically harmed by dogs.

This letter is to inform you that we are concerned your dog may have a propensity to attack and to bite or otherwise injure your letter carrier.

To provide you uninterrupted mail delivery while protecting our letter carriers, the Postal Service is requesting your assistance. Please confine your dog, either in the house or tethered or fenced outdoors, away from the route your carrier uses to deliver your mail.

We appreciate your cooperation.

Sincerely,

Sample Letter Warning Letter #2 - Electronic Fences

Dear Postal Customer:

We understand that you have installed an electronic fence on your property. We are writing to request that you keep your dog restrained or inside when the mail is delivered. Although the electronic fence may keep your dog from wandering, it does not protect your letter carrier, who must enter the property to deliver the mail.

Letter carriers may assume, when they see no physical fence around a property, that the property is animal-free. This can be a dangerous mistake.

Every year thousands of letter carriers are attacked and injured - many seriously - by dogs. Even the kindest of family pets can bite to protect its territory.

So we request that you keep your animal restrained or inside during times when your letter carrier will be delivering the mail. Please help us deliver your mail consistently and safely. Thank you for your help.

Sincerely,

Sample Warning Letter #3

Dear Postal Customer:

We were unable to deliver your mail recently because your unrestrained dog threatened our letter carrier.

We previously notified you of our concern that your dog might have a propensity to attack and to bite or otherwise injure your letter carrier. That concern was based on prior observations.

We are sorry for any inconvenience the interruption of your mail delivery might have caused. However, I think you can understand that we must protect our employees from potential injury.

If your carrier is threatened by your unrestrained dog again, we must take further action. That action will require you to either arrange to obtain your mail at a Post Office box or install a mail receptacle at the curb in front of your residence for delivery.

To restore delivery at this time, please pick up your mail at our Post Office, which is located at [ADDRESS]. You will be asked to sign a statement assuring us that you will keep your dog restrained during normal delivery hours.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Sincerely,

Sample Warning Letter #4

Dear Postal Customer:

We previously notified you that your dog is considered to be a danger to your letter carrier. Yet, on [DATE], our letter carrier was again threatened by your dog. As a result of this incident, I must ask you to choose within the next [NUMBER] days one of the following options for receiving your mail:

Rent a Post Office box to receive your mail.

Install a mail receptacle at the curb of your .

Until you have informed us of your decision, your mail will be held at [POST OFFICE AND ADDRESS]. It will be available for pickup during normal business hours, which are [INSERT YOUR OFFICE'S MONDAY-FRIDAY AND SATURDAY HOURS]. If you have not picked up your mail within [NUMBER OF DAYS], we will return it to the senders.

If you have any questions concerning this policy, please call [NAME] at [PHONE NUMBER].

Sincerely,

Sample Thank You Letter for Customer Compliance

Dear Postal Customer:

Thank you for keeping your dog safely away from the letter carrier's path. Because dog owners like you accept responsibility for their pets, letter carriers and other service people are better able to work in your neighborhood.

On behalf of both your regular letter carrier, [NAME], and the substitute carriers who deliver your mail in [HIS/HER] absence I appreciate your cooperation.

Sincerely,

Additional Resources

Now that you have read through this publicity kit and made some decisions about what would work best in your area, it is time for action.

In addition to this kit, a number of resources are available to assist you in your effort to educate employees, your customers, and the entire community about the importance of dog bite prevention. If you have media or public relations questions, Public Affairs and Communications managers in each area can put you in touch with your local communications person. The American Veterinary Medical Association is another resource to help us bring awareness to this very serious matter. Their Web site, www.avma.org has a wealth of useful information. And, while the Humane Society of America is not an official partner, it is always willing to participate in planned events and help organizations that are promoting safety around animals. Its dog bite prevention Web site, www.nodogbites.org, is an excellent resource for employees and your community.

Although dog bites are declining, we must keep in mind that last year we averaged 10 dog bites per delivery day. When you factor in dog attacks where there was no bite, we averaged 12 dog bites and attacks per delivery day. Dog bites are no laughing matter! Watch Out - and remember looks can be deceiving. We must take action now to reduce these costly and painful injuries.

Area Public Affairs and Communications Managers

DEBORAH YACKLEY
MANAGER PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS
CAPITAL METRO US POSTAL SERVICE
16501 SHADY GROVE
GAITHERSBURG MD 20898-9998
301-548-1465

PAUL SMITH
MANAGER PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS
EASTERN AREA US POSTAL SERVICE
PO BOX 40593
PHILADELPHIA PA 19197-0593
215-931-5054

JIM MRUK
MANAGER PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS
GREAT LAKES AREA US POSTAL SERVICE
244 KNOLLWOOD DR 4TH FLOOR
BLOOMINGDALE IL 60117-2208
630-539-6565

MONICA HAND
MANAGER PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS
NY METRO AREA US POSTAL SERVICE
421 EIGHTH AVE RM 5114
NEW YORK NY 10199-9681
212-330-3167

DEBRA HAWKINS
MANAGER PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS
NORTHEAST AREA US POSTAL SERVICE
6 GRIFFIN RD N
WINDSOR CT 06006-9876
860-285-7265

EARL C ARTIS JR
MANAGER PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS
SOUTHEAST AREA US POSTAL SERVICE
225 NORTH HUMPHREY BLVD
MEMPHIS TN 38166-0832
901-747-7544

DARLA STAFFORD
MANAGER PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS
SOUTHWEST AREA US POSTAL SERVICE
7800 N STEMMONS FREEWAY STE 450
DALLAS TX 75247-4220
214-819-8748

DON SMERALDI
MANAGER PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS
PACIFIC AREA US POSTAL SERVICE
7001 S CENTRAL AVE RM 364A
LOS ANGELES CA 90052-9641
323-586-1212

SCOTT BUDNY
MANAGER PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS
WESTERN AREA US POSTAL SERVICE
1745 STOUT ST STE 400
DENVER CO 80299-7500
303-313-5125

For additional information contact the following for individuals who can help you obtain local Humane Society support and find animal behavior experts for local events.

American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Headquarters

SHARON GRANSKOG
AVMA
1931 N MEACHAM RD STE 100
SCHAUMBURG IL 60173-4364

Telephone: 847-925-8070
Fax: 847-925-1329
e-mail: sgranskog@avma.org

Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) Headquarters

PAT MCELROY
ISSUES SPECIALIST
HSUS
2100 L STREET NW
WASHINGTON DC 20037-1598

Telephone: 202-452-1100
e-mail: pmcelroy@hsus.org

Government Relations Contacts

We can help! Your Government Relations representatives are here to serve you. We can assist you in contacting and inviting elected officials to participate in your event - please let us know.

Area code and prefix for all extensions is 202-268-XXXX

More Resources

• PS Form 1778, Dog Warning Card

• Publication 129, Safety Talks

• Safety Film: Dogs, They Come in All Sizes. Contact your Postal Employee Development Center (PEDC) for availability.

• Publication 174, How to Avoid Dog Bites: Dogs and Dog Repellent

• Material Safety Data Sheet - "Halt" dog repellent

• Material Safety Data Sheet - "Back off" dog repellent

• Dog Training Video: Understanding Canine Behavior. Contact your PEDC for availability.

- Community Relations, Public Affairs and Communications,
4-28-05