Hot Weather Seen as a Factor that Increases Risk of Dog Bite Incidents

 While a lot of people are enjoying the warm temperature brought by the hot summer days, postmen are feeling the opposite way around since warmer weather puts their life at risk.

During warmer weather, postmen become more prone to dog bite incidents as dogs roam more outside during these days.  

Salisbury’s acting Postmaster, Ellen Hebert, affirmed that as the weather gets warmer, the risk of their postmen being involved in a dog bite incident increases. In fact, their office had already received a couple of dog bite incident reports since the end of the previous year though it was not yet the warmest of the season.

Also, in some neighboring office, a similar trend was seen, according to North Carolina Post Office safety manager, Stephanie Harris. Harris testified that since October, the number of dog bite incident reports in their office more than tripled compared to previous years.

Definitely, said incidents during hot summer days have something to do with the dogs’ behavior during such weather. Probably, like most people, dogs love to stay outside to get some fresh air. Moreover, it is usual for dogs to protect their owners, as well as their territories.

To avoid such incidents of dog bites, the office of the Postal Service is conducting a seminar for their employees, particularly for the postmen, to increase their awareness on how they could protect themselves from dogs. Also, the Postal Service officials are encouraging the people within the community as well to help them protect mail carriers. 

The Postal Service advised the homeowners to ensure that their doors are locked and secured during hours of mail delivery. Furthermore, if the homeowner is expecting a package or a mail, it’s best to always keep an eye on their dogs.

The National Dog Bite Prevention Week, which was also recognized by the Postal Service, is held each May. Said annual event provides tips and information regarding dog bite and other animal attacks, as well as responsible pet ownership.

Always keep in mind that biting is in the usual nature of all breeds of dog. To reduce the number of dog bite incidents not only among postmen but also among other civilians, dog owners must be responsible enough to shelter their dogs properly. Public education regarding responsible dog ownership and breeding and dog bite law enforcement are the most effective ways of pushing for responsible dog ownership.

5 – Year Old Afghan Child Sustained Dog Bite After the SOTG Clearing Operation

After the Special Operation Task Group (SOTG) conducted a compound – clearance operation in Oruzgan province in Afghanistan last November, a dog bite incident brought a 5 – year old Afghan child in an unfortunate situation.

The Acting Chief, Rear Admiral David Johnston, headed the joint operation. The officer saw the incident as highly unwelcomed and ill fated.

Though the clearing operation was conducted in accordance with proper legal procedures, the incident still took place. He noted that the SOTG force had been operating only with approved procedures.

The rear admiral stated how the dog bite incident occurred according to the initial review that they are conducting. According to him, after the civilians vacated the building, they advised SOTG men that the compound was clear of people. Consequently, the men entered the compound together with the army dogs. Right after the clearing operation, the five-year-old boy was then discovered of having deep wound on his leg. Most often, the common victim of dog bites are children.

Though they believe that they conducted appropriate procedures, the task force is still making a review regarding the incident focusing on finding out how the child was attacked by the animal.

The task force’s medical team immediately provided the child with medical treatment and then later transferred him together with his mother at Tarin Kowt via helicopter.

Thereafter, they were soon transferred to the advance medical facility at Kandahar Airfield for specialist treatment. The boy was released from the hospital after a few days. 

Granted that the SOTG force have conducted a successful clearing operation using the standard and approved clearing procedures, the said dog bite incident is still under their liabilities since the child was bit by an army dog and not just by any other dog. The Rear Admiral was aware of this and this is the reason why they gave the child full assistance.