‘Any dog can bite’

Big or small, young or old, “any dog can bite,” the American Veterinary Medical Association cautions. “Even the cuddliest, fuzziest, sweetest dog can bite if provoked.”

Just ask the 4.5 million people nationwide who are bitten by dogs each year. Many are workers, including more than 5,000 from the U.S. Postal Service. Others include utility, landscaping or home repair professionals.

Understand why dogs bite

A key step for employers and safety professionals is educating workers on why dogs bite. According to AVMA, it’s because the animal is:

Defending their territory or themselves.
Scared or startled.
Sensing a threat.
Guarding something valuable to them (their puppies, food or a toy).
Feeling unwell, in pain, sick or injured.

Just as a dog’s appearance can be deceiving, so can certain situations, said Mitzi Robinson, owner and founder of occupational dog bite safety provider Bulli Ray.

For example, a dog may seem timid at first but could become more confident the longer it’s around a worker, then have enough courage to attack or bite.
“Remember, the dog is not your friend,” Robinson said. “He’s there to do a job, and his job is to defend his territory.”

Draft and implement policies

Employers need to develop effective policies and procedures and share them with employees who may encounter dogs on the job. Here are some questions these plans can answer:

What should workers do if they encounter a dog(s) that’s loose in a customer’s yard?
If work needs to take place in or around the home, is the employee allowed to ask the homeowner to keep the pet confined to the backyard or in another room?
Can an employee refuse to provide service or schedule a time to return once the homeowner has complied?
Is there a way to inform other employees about the potential for dogs to be on the loose around a certain residence or in the neighborhood?
USPS uses handheld scanners to alert its employees about homes that have dogs.
“These mobile devices provide that enhanced digital service while also promoting safe carrier operations,” Postal Service spokesperson David Coleman said. “And the USPS Informed Delivery service alerts customers to mail and packages coming to their homes, allowing them to plan for the carrier’s arrival and secure their dogs safely.”

Should you look a dog in the eyes?

Opinions differ on whether to look an aggressive dog in the eyes. Coleman said his agency doesn’t advise it.

Robinson, however, said looking a dog in the eyes is part of “maintaining a dominant position.” That means an upright posture and giving stern commands such as “Go lay down” or “Get in the house” because most dogs are usually trained in some form by their owners.

“All of that terminology that’s been conditioned into that dog, he understands that,” Robinson said. “Most dogs, in reality, want to do something to get away from you. Give them an out.

“Give the dog an out by just telling him exactly what his owner would tell him to do.”

Be aware of your surroundings

Maintaining situational awareness is essential. At times, workers have been bitten because they didn’t see a dog and stepped on it. Or they entered a backyard without first checking for a dog.

A word of advice from Robinson: Shake the gate to see if a dog emerges before opening it. Rattling keys or a keychain works, too.

Another tip she offered is making sure workers don’t stand directly in front of the door when they’re waiting for the homeowner to answer.

“Doing something as simple as stepping 10 to 15 feet backward once you’ve knocked on the door and preparing yourself for if a dog does come out, now you’ve got some reaction time,” Robinson said.

Know how to react

Coleman said USPS trains its letter carriers to do the following if they encounter a dog:
Never run from the dog (it will likely chase you).
Stand your ground facing the animal.
Keep the mail satchel between you and the dog while backing away slowly, being careful to not stumble over objects as you retreat.
Always carry dog repellent spray and make sure it’s easily accessible.

Keeping their mail satchel between them and any dog they encounter shields letter carriers from an attack and gives the animal something to bite. This same “shield” strategy works with almost any other object a worker may be carrying or can pick up, like a stick.

“The dog will bite the first thing he comes to,” Robinson said. “That’s all you’ve got to remember. Put anything out there. He will bite the first thing he comes to. And that’s what most people don’t think about.”

When it comes to using pepper spray or other deterrents, she cautions that the spray can blow back into a user’s face. If workers are going to carry it, they should practice using the product in a safe outdoor area. And cans need to be checked to ensure they haven’t expired.

What to do if you’re bitten

If a dog bites you, AVMA says to:

Clean the bite wound with soap and water as soon as possible.
If the dog’s owner is present, ask for proof of vaccinations and get the owner’s name and contact information.
Consult your doctor immediately or go to an ER if it’s after office hours.
Contact the dog’s veterinarian to check the animal’s vaccination records.

Anyone who’s been bitten by a dog should avoid driving a vehicle immediately afterward, Robinson emphasizes.

“They’re going through an adrenaline rush, so they have to wait,” she said. “Don’t start driving. Wait until your adrenaline calms down.

“Get in the vehicle and call somebody to let them know you’ve been bitten. If the employee feels they can go to the hospital, then go to the hospital. If not, stay in the vehicle and wait for help.”

National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign

The U.S. Postal Service emphasizes dog bite awareness year-round, with a special focus typically given during June. Go to usps.com for more information on the campaign, as well as educational resources.

This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.