Vicki
Administrator
Want your mail? Watch your dogs
May 30, 2009 - 5:07 PM
BY CHRIS McDANIEL
Letter carriers with the United States Post Office take pride in delivering your mail, but one thing that could prevent that mail from getting to your doorstep may be your dogs. If you have a loose or overly aggressive dog, the post office can choose to stop delivering your mail if there is a legitimate risk.
According to the post office, during the last 12 months there have been four letter carriers who have been bitten by dogs in the Yuma area.
"Dogs are a big issue, and we take it very seriously," said Mary Ross, supervisor of the Yuma main branch post office.
"If a courier calls and says they have a dog problem on their route, which could be anything from a loose dog, or even a dog which is tied up too near the mailbox, and they feel threatened, we call the Humane Society of Yuma, and issue a letter to the customer about the incident."
Ross said the post office works on the three strikes and you're out principle when dealing with dogs.
"If it is the first time no further action will be taken. If it happens a second time, the dog owner will have to come into the post office and sign a letter stating they will keep their dog or dogs under control and enclosed in the house or backyard. The third time their mail is discontinued, and even if the person moves to a new address, their mail will still not be delivered to them."
Ross said these people can still get their mail, but will have to come to the post office in person.
"We always look for alternative means of delivery and try to work with people. On occasion we have even considered putting up central boxes when it is an issue concerning whole neighborhoods. We have discontinued service to entire blocks because of one dog owner who was non-compliant, and will not deliver to those neighborhoods again until the dog issue is taken care of."
Postmaster Sergio Velasco said many dog attacks happen in the neighborhood along Avenue B from 5th Street to the West Wetlands Park.
"The safety of our letter carriers is most important. A few months ago, we had a few avenues in the northwestern part of the city shut down for a few weeks. People need to restrain their dogs if they want to receive their mail."
Ross said the well-being of postal employees is of the utmost importance.
"We don't like to stop the mail, but we are concerned about the safety of the carrier. Our letter carriers deal with aggressive dogs every day. Anyone who has been bitten by a dog or chased by a dog knows how it feels."
Letter carrier veteran Bob Carey knows exactly what it feels like to get fanged by a dog.
"I've been bitten four times during my 32 years at the post office," said Carey. "My first day on the job a dog jumped right up in my face and I almost had a heart attack. The last time I got bit was the worst. It was a German shepherd-wolf mix named Rambo. It came right through an old screen door, and I put my arm up to protect my face. He bit through my wrist right to the bone, and I had to get 10 stitches."
Ross said there are certain measures dog owners can take to ensure the safety of letter carriers and other innocent passers-by.
"Dog owners need to make sure their dogs and other pets are contained and can't break through or go over or under fences, and that gates and doors are latched. The bottom line is we want everyone to be safe out there."
http://www.yumasun.com/news/mail-50432-post-dogs.html
May 30, 2009 - 5:07 PM
BY CHRIS McDANIEL
Letter carriers with the United States Post Office take pride in delivering your mail, but one thing that could prevent that mail from getting to your doorstep may be your dogs. If you have a loose or overly aggressive dog, the post office can choose to stop delivering your mail if there is a legitimate risk.
According to the post office, during the last 12 months there have been four letter carriers who have been bitten by dogs in the Yuma area.
"Dogs are a big issue, and we take it very seriously," said Mary Ross, supervisor of the Yuma main branch post office.
"If a courier calls and says they have a dog problem on their route, which could be anything from a loose dog, or even a dog which is tied up too near the mailbox, and they feel threatened, we call the Humane Society of Yuma, and issue a letter to the customer about the incident."
Ross said the post office works on the three strikes and you're out principle when dealing with dogs.
"If it is the first time no further action will be taken. If it happens a second time, the dog owner will have to come into the post office and sign a letter stating they will keep their dog or dogs under control and enclosed in the house or backyard. The third time their mail is discontinued, and even if the person moves to a new address, their mail will still not be delivered to them."
Ross said these people can still get their mail, but will have to come to the post office in person.
"We always look for alternative means of delivery and try to work with people. On occasion we have even considered putting up central boxes when it is an issue concerning whole neighborhoods. We have discontinued service to entire blocks because of one dog owner who was non-compliant, and will not deliver to those neighborhoods again until the dog issue is taken care of."
Postmaster Sergio Velasco said many dog attacks happen in the neighborhood along Avenue B from 5th Street to the West Wetlands Park.
"The safety of our letter carriers is most important. A few months ago, we had a few avenues in the northwestern part of the city shut down for a few weeks. People need to restrain their dogs if they want to receive their mail."
Ross said the well-being of postal employees is of the utmost importance.
"We don't like to stop the mail, but we are concerned about the safety of the carrier. Our letter carriers deal with aggressive dogs every day. Anyone who has been bitten by a dog or chased by a dog knows how it feels."
Letter carrier veteran Bob Carey knows exactly what it feels like to get fanged by a dog.
"I've been bitten four times during my 32 years at the post office," said Carey. "My first day on the job a dog jumped right up in my face and I almost had a heart attack. The last time I got bit was the worst. It was a German shepherd-wolf mix named Rambo. It came right through an old screen door, and I put my arm up to protect my face. He bit through my wrist right to the bone, and I had to get 10 stitches."
Ross said there are certain measures dog owners can take to ensure the safety of letter carriers and other innocent passers-by.
"Dog owners need to make sure their dogs and other pets are contained and can't break through or go over or under fences, and that gates and doors are latched. The bottom line is we want everyone to be safe out there."
http://www.yumasun.com/news/mail-50432-post-dogs.html
