DOGGED DANGERS

By JON MOFFETT

Dog attacks pose a real threat to mail carriers

The Postal Service asks pet owners to learn to be responsible.

YOUNGSTOWN — Amid barking dogs and howling hounds on Youngstown streets, Gary Grim walks calmly — swiftly, but calmly — down his mail route.

Grim, himself a city resident, has been employed by the U.S. Postal Service for more than five years. He’s heard the clich s about how letter carriers are on the job despite rain, snow, sleet or hail.

But there is a bigger danger for them.

During Grim’s five-year career, he has been the victim of a dog attack three times. He has been injured twice.

The first time, a pit bull jumped up and latched onto his arm. Grim was forced to punch the dog in the head repeatedly to break its hold, explained post office spokesman David Van Allen. Once free, Grim ran to the first building he could find to seek shelter. Because the dog was a stray, Grim was required to get six rabies shots.

“There’s a man in Cleveland who had a similar story,” Van Allen said. “He was attacked and it ruined his arm. Now he can’t work anymore. Once a pit bull latches on, it doesn’t let go.”

Early last year, Grim was attacked again. This time, the attacker was a 165-pound Rottweiler.

While walking up to the front porch, the dog ran around from the side of the house and pounced. Luckily Grim was able to shield himself with his mailbag. The dog grasped the satchel in its mouth as Grim tried to back up slowly toward his vehicle, still using the satchel as protection.

He managed to get inside, but the dog gave a powerful tug, pulling Grim onto the street. Grim was able to get back up into his vehicle and slam the door. Van Allen said, Grim suffered four broken ribs and bruised his entire side.

Despite being attacked multiple times, Grim, armed only with his mail satchel and a can of pepper spray, still enjoys his work. “Generally the people [on my routes] take care of me,” he said. “They watch out for me.”

When asked about the most rewarding part of the job, Grim responded, “Giving out birthday cards; Christmas cards. The children are always excited. They always look up to you. Not to mention it’s a great way to serve your community. I’ve made a lot of friends on my routes.”

Grim represents more than 4.7 million people who are bitten by dogs each year. In fiscal 2007, there were 119 documented dog-related incidents in the Northeastern Ohio Postal District, according to Debbie Moss, Northeast Ohio’s district safety manager.

That’s why the Postal Service asks pet owners to be responsible.

“Awareness is our biggest concern,” Grim said. “Responsibility of the owner is important.”

Today concludes National Dog Bite Prevention Week, a weeklong effort designed to bring awareness to the issue.

Moss reminds owners that “violent dog behavior continues to pose a serious threat to our letter carriers ... Further, if a dog attacks a letter carrier, the owner could be held liable for all medical expenses and other costs. Pet owners can avoid this by properly restraining their animals.”

Both Van Allen and Grim suggested the idea behind the week is to promote safety and responsibility, not be anti-dog.

“It’s not really the dog’s fault. You’re invading their territory when you walk onto their yard,” Grim said. “I love all dogs. I have two dogs, a brown lab [Butch] and a wire-haired terrier [Sandy].”