The training, this week, focuses on teaching carriers how to be safe on their routes by making them aware of potential dangers such as unsafe houses and threatening dogs.
On Wednesday, Clark County Dog Warden Sandi Click was at the post office to warn carriers of dangers.
“Dogs feel like they are empowered … when the carrier comes to visit them every day. The dog barks , tells, the carrier to leave and the carrier does,” Click said.
The dog then develops the opinion he’s bad stuff, she said. That’s why it’s important to document an incident with a dog.
Click advised carriers to contact her office, note problems they have with dogs and take photos.
Mail carrier Tre McIntosh comes across dogs on a daily basis. He says some interactions are threatening.
“Every day, every day. The route I carry on, it’s not the best route. There’s a lot of dogs. There are a lot of stray dogs,” he said.
SPRINGFIELD MURDER-SUICIDE: Dispatchers getting praises for how they handled 911 call
McIntosh said that when he does encounter stray dogs, he stays calm and acts rationally, just like Click told other mail carriers to do. The carrier said he comes across dogs of all sizes. He uses a horn with smaller dogs; he acts differently with bigger dogs.
“I usually, like they say, put the satchel in front. If they get any closer I spray them with my dog mace,” McIntosh said.
Mail carriers can shut off mail delivery to an entire block if incidents keep occurring with a dog.
“It just means everybody on the street will have to go to the post office to get their mail because their neighbor is irresponsible,” Click said.
Dog owners could also face stronger penalties if problems persist, the carriers learned. They could be cited in court and face increased fines or jail time. They could also be required to install fences or muzzle their dogs in some instances. As a last result, the court could order the dog put to death.
That’s why Click said its important for owners to keep their dogs in a confined area.
About the Author