Carrier beware

County official, trainers offer tips to mail carriers

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Man's best friend can be a postal worker's worst enemy.

That's why Clark County Animal Control Chief of Code Enforcement Joseph Boteilho and professional trainers from Sit Means Sit Dog Training have been offering basic tips to postal workers over the last month in training sessions at U.S. post offices all over the Las Vegas area.

While the training sessions at area post offices -- which conclude with a final session Wednesday -- are not open to the public, Boteilho said many of the tips apply to anyone who walks or jogs in a neighborhood, and anyone that interacts with unfamiliar dogs.

At an April 19 session with postal workers based out of the office at 4975 S. Swenson St., Boteilho and the Sit Means Sit staff used trained dogs and volunteers from the audience to show what can happen during an attack.

It is absolutely the owner's responsibility to control their pet, Boteilho said.

"If the dog is out of control, you need to ask them to put the dog away," he said.

But if owners are not responsible enough to control their four-legged companions, Boteilho and the trainers offered some ideas for avoiding a hostile encounter.

"The idea here is to minimize your exposure," said Boteilho.

Even a piece of mail put between the letter carrier and an agitated dog can distract the dog and discourage an attack, he said. Boteilho and Sit Means Sit demonstrators encouraged the letter carriers to let a dog chew on a few pieces of mail. Other objects also can be used to create a distraction.

"I'd rather feed them my satchel, my pen, my phone, whatever, to get away from them," Boteilho said.

As a last resort, and if an attack is imminent, carriers were told to offer up one limb to the dog. Fighting back with multiple arms and legs only means the angry canine will bite more limbs.

Fred Hassen, founder of Las Vegas-based Sit Means Sit, and Alfredo Rivera, the company's president, directed the company's dogs Nero, Leon, and Pantera to attack postal workers who had been outfitted with padded body suits, hand guards and helmets.

With enough momentum, an average-sized dog can knock a person down, they said.

Demonstrators explained that when postal workers offer one limb to a dog to minimize injury, they should move with the dog during the attack rather than fighting back or running.

"Don't underestimate your opponent," Rivera said.

Dogs are very territorial, and postal workers, especially on older routes where mailboxes are mounted on houses, are often forced to violate the turf established by the dog.

"Oftentimes you're the ones, by virtue of your work, that are crossing those lines," Rivera said.

Rivera showed how a mail bag could be used to form a barrier between the carrier and the dog. Many dogs will not even attempt to bite something as unfamiliar as a satchel. If they do, they will get a mouthful of mail rather than human flesh, Rivera said.

"What you're doing is providing yourself with a bumper," he said.

He and Hassen also advised facing the dog. Turning around and running makes anything or anyone look like prey to a dog, they said, adding that a dog will relish the opportunity to chase.

Demonstrators encouraged letter carriers to make a real effort to avoid dog bites, even if it means getting on top of someone's car or leaving a satchel with an agitated dog. It is worth a little damage to property to avoid serious injuries, Boteilho said.

Letter carrier Stephen Slocum was one of the volunteers in the padded suit who was mock-attacked by a Sit Means Sit dog.

He said he was surprised by the power of the dogs as they were directed by trainers to pounce.

"The dog sent me flying," Slocum said.

He said the advice was helpful, especially for carriers in the older part of town where many mail drops require walking through people's gates.

Slocum said he was attacked once at a business by a small dog.

Part of Boteilho's job is to raise awareness about dealing with animals in public places. Boteilho established the set of annual workshops about seven years ago and invited Sit Means Sit trainers to help.

"We're the only ones that could help with this because our dogs are so well trained," Rivera said.

Boteilho wanted postal workers to witness an actual attack with a real dog so they could be better prepared for an actual incident, which can sometimes cause panic.

"When it really happens, people shut down, but this gives them tools," Boteilho said.

Postal workers and residents should always report aggressive dogs, even if the attack is not serious, he said. Many times, he and other Animal Control workers are unaware of an aggressive dog until it has seriously injured a child, he added.

The bottom line is for postal workers and residents to be mindful of the issue, Rivera said.

"Be aware there is a potential to meet with aggressive dogs out there," he said.

To report vicious animals, call Clark County Animal Control at 455-7710.