Dog bites on postal carriers are common

This week in National Dog Bite Prevention Week. While millions of people across the country own dogs and many of them consider their pets to be friendly, dogs can bite on instinct without warning. Even the nicest dog might be triggered to bite if they feel threatened, and sometimes animal behavior is misinterpreted by humans, puting them in harms way.

However, some dogs might attack a person who isn’t even close to them while they are walking through a neighborhood. Although it might seem like something out of a child’s cartoon, dog bites to mail carriers are a major problem. According to the U.S. Postal Service, close to 5,900 letter carriers were attacked last year by dogs.

This number is very high. While the severity of the injuries the carriers sustained can vary, even the smallest bite can lead to a dangerous infection, These attacks are a form of premises liability. Property owners need to be responsible in making sure their animals are properly secured to prevent attacks.

If mail carriers are vulnerable to this many dog attacks, many other people in New York City could also be attacked. If someone is injured because of a dog bite, they might be wise to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. They can help a person understand their rights and possibly seek compensation for their medical expenses. If a person’s bite is severe enough, they might be required to spend significant time in the hospital, leading to very expensive bills that might be difficult to pay.

Source: USA Today, “Postal Service works to curb dog bites to carriers,” Melanie Eversley, May 15, 2013