Postal Carriers Being Bitten by More Dogs

Shannon Weidemann

Contributor

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Mail Carriers around the country are dealing with more and more dog attacks and bites. In the last 18 months alone 215 incidents involving aggressive dogs have been reported in the Sacramento District. 84 mail carriers have been bitten or attacked.

April is traditionally the most dangerous time of year for postal carriers, because as the weather is generally pleasant, neither too hot or too cold, owners are more apt to leave their animals outdoors for extended periods of time, Sandobal said.

"Fortunately, we have not had any major injuries this year," he said. "But it's just a matter of time before those serious injuries can happen."

Mail carriers that have been bitten are encouraged by the Postal Service to bring a civil suit against the dog's owners for their injuries. Mail carriers are alerted to potentially dangerous houses by yellow warning cards that are sorted into the mail.