June is the US Postal Service's National Dog Bite Awareness Month, and with its latest report showing L.A. leading the pack as the city with the most attacks, KNX News' Karen Adams joined a local carrier to learn more.
Patricia Gilmore is a Letter Carrier with 31 years of experience at the U.S. Postal Service. She says about 89% of her residents have dogs, many with two or more.
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Her only defense; "Back Off Dog Repellent" and her mail satchel.
"We don't like to have to spray them," Gilmore told Admans, "but that's what we have to do to protect ourselves."
As for the satchel, she said, it acts as a decoy for the dog to bite down on, giving her a chance to "spray and get away."
Gilmore has been attacked before, and because of the pervasiveness of the incidents, the postal service has taken measures to avoid them, including providing dog warning cards for carriers to alert each other of certain dogs.
Some homeowners are doing their part by posting their own dog warning signs and ensuring their pets are secured for the carriers' safety.
Safety Engagement Leader Cherice Harris with USPS also suggests moving your mailboxes outside your yard so that jumping and snapping dogs can't reach the mail carriers.
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