National Dog Bite Prevention Week

The Postal Service is asking dog owners across America to show their letter carriers some love this week by making sure their pets are in separate rooms with closed doors before accepting mail.

That’s a key message as the Postal Service launches National Dog Bite Prevention Week, May 18-24.

Last year, dogs attacked more than 3,000 letter and rural carriers nationwide. The 2007 total is 63 less than a year earlier, thanks to the Postal Service’s aggressive community outreach effort.

Joining USPS once again this year are the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Association of Letter Carriers

Last year, the district with carriers suffering the most dog bites was Houston (103), followed by Santa Ana (86), Sacramento (82), Los Angeles (71) and Big Valley (69).