Canada Post is once again appealing to dog owners to keep their animals contained to prevent bites to postal workers.
So far this year, there have been 18 incidents involving dogs in Greater Victoria, the federal organization said Monday.
An undated Canada Post statement on its website cited more than 500 dog bites involving postal workers annually.
Canada Post asks dog owners not to open their doors during deliveries, and not to allow their dogs to approach postal workers. “This makes it difficult to adhere to physical distancing when owners need to retrieve their dogs, and it increases the risk of dog bites.”
The agency recommends keeping dogs in another room when a delivery arrives.
Letters and parcels are delivered to millions of home in Canada every day. About 41 per cent of those homes have dogs, Canada Post said.
It is impossible for delivery agents to determine how a dog will respond when mail is delivered, it said, noting dogs can be protective of homes and families.
“We know this is a difficult time and we appreciate your help in keeping our employees safe, which will also help keep our local communities safe.”
