Dog Attacks on Postal Workers Increases

It seems that postal workers have unfortunately drawn the short straw when it comes to man’s best friend, as a number of dog attacks this month in Canada have put postal workers on edge.

Canada Post has noticed a steep rise in the number of dog attacks on its works throughout July. In the first 18 days of July, there were 14 dog attacks on postal workers, while there were around 45 nationwide. On average the number is about 40 a month.

In April, one worker was forced to take on a feisty schnauzer, which lives on his work route. As the postal worker approached the house to make his delivery, the unleashed dog ran towards him in a bid to defend its territory.

When postal workers are recruited they are trained how to protect themselves from dogs. They either employ a mail package, their satchel, or dog spray. In this instance, the postal worker grabbed a package of mail before bracing himself. He decided against running away from the dog, as he explained that if a dog went for his ankles he could be out of work for a number of weeks.

The tussle between the two last around a minute when a babysitter came and stopped the dog. As a result, the postal worker received a gash on his left hand. However, while this incident wasn’t too serious, other are.

Earlier in July, a mail carrier lost part of her thumb after an 80-pound bull mastiff attacked her. The dog had to be put down that day. Back in 2004, a postal worker had her ear bitten by two pit bulls.

Every year, 500 dog attacks take place on postal workers. Many believe, however, that the rise in this year’s attacks could be down to the fact that the dogs are not unused to seeing postal workers because of the work stoppage that came to an end at the end of June.

Summer time is also a time when more dog bites are reported as regular mail carriers are away on holiday and replaced by others that the dogs don’t recognize.

Of course, it can be a frustrating job for a postal worker to have to worry about the fear of being attacked by a dog as they try to deliver the mail. While they may have received training to defend themselves in such situations, they may be thinking about how they can further increase their protection by asking themselves is it safe to tase dogs?

No one wants to see an animal or human get hurt, but when it comes to protecting yourself from harm, it’s important that safety measures are in place.

Owning a self defense device and having it on you at all times is important. Nowadays, it’s not uncommon to find more people defending themselves with a stunning device as they know that the use of the tool is not dangerous.

Targeting a dog with a stunning tool won’t harm them and will only subdue them long enough for a person to make their escape to safety without any harm coming to them.