By Thomas Hand

As Postmaster of Altoona, I would like to ask our residents who are dog owners to assist us during Dog Bite Awareness Month. Although this campaign is highlighted in June, please know your letter carrier practices dog bite awareness year-round.

Even the most predictable pets can act unpredictably when defending territory or feeling startled. Because dogs rely on protective instincts, owners must manage their dogs during delivery times to prevent accidents. Keep your dog in a separate closed room before opening the front door. If you step outside, ensure the door is firmly latched. Always use a leash if your dog is outdoors during mail delivery. Finally, never accept mail directly from your letter carrier in the presence of your dog, and teach children to avoid doing so, as dogs can misinterpret the interaction as a threat.

Postal carriers undergo extensive safety training to spot potential canine hazards. Carriers are instructed to remain vigilant and exercise the precautions below:

– Announce entry. Rattle a fence gate or make a non-threatening sound before walking into a yard.

– Maintain visual contact. Never startle an animal and always keep eyes locked on the dog.

– Assume dog poses risk. Avoid petting or feeding any animal on the assumption that any dog has the potential to bite.

– Block exits. Secure outward-swinging doors with a foot to prevent a pet from escaping.

If a dog attacks, carriers are trained to stand their ground, use their mail satchel as a protective shield and deploy dog repellent if necessary. To stay ahead of these risks, USPS also provides carriers with awareness tools, including handheld scanners that feature built-in dog warning alerts and physical warning cards that are placed into mail sorting cases to alert a carrier of a dog at a certain address.

Lastly, dog bites can have an emotional and financial impact on the letter carrier and dog owner.

If we work together and ensure you are doing everything possible as a responsible dog owner and we continue providing training and support for our carriers, I am confident we can continue making Altoona a safe and great place to live and work.

Thomas Hand is the postmaster of Altoona.