Canada Post calls on dog owners to keep everyone safe this summer during deliveries
With the weather improving and more people venturing outside with their furry friends, Canada Post is asking residents to be mindful of their animals this summer.
Canada Post delivers to millions of homes across Canada and an estimated 36 per cent of those homes have dogs.
Leslie Black is a delivery agent for Canada Post in the Capital Region and has been on the job for 25 years. She has been bitten by dogs on four separate occasions.
"One time was quite serious and it had me in the hospital and I had over 30-plus stiches," she said.
"I was off work for four months to recover from that."
The owner of that dog assumed Leslie’s knock on the door was from their house cleaner and opened the door. Seeing unfamiliar Leslie, the dog charged.
"It was a very aggressive dog, it had a history that I wasn’t aware of at the time," said the delivery agent.
"It just latched onto my leg and wouldn’t let go."
Canada Post delivery agent Leslie Black is pictured along her route in Oak Bay, B.C. (CTV News)
Canada Post says the risk of dog-related incidents for delivery employees increases in the spring and summer. This increase is partly because the weather gets warmer and more families are outdoors.
Canada Post has released a social media video reminding dog owners to be responsible when it comes to receiving their mail.
"It’s often a very innocent accident," said Black. "It just happens so quickly."
Canada Post has some tips for you, if you are a dog owner.
- If there isn’t a reason to open the door to receive your parcel, don’t.
- If you do have to open the door and sign for the package, make sure your dog is secured in a separate room.
- If at all possible, contain your dog in a fenced backyard.
"So if your dog bites, it’s going to hurt the person – but if your dog bites, it’s also going to hurt them and their future as a safe dog," said Mark Johnson, a professional dog trainer and owner of Zen Dogz.
"Once your dog bites it gets deemed a dangerous dog and then it has to be muzzled," he said.
Repeat offences could lead to the owners being forced to euthanize the dog.
Johnson says dogs can be unpredictable. Occasionally the friendliest of animals could become territorial and protective. If that happens, proper training is key.
"Get training," he said. "Get a professional take on the level of your dog’s intensity, then do some mock practices of people coming to the door and just calming your dog down and showing them that it’s safe," he said.
"Just be responsible with your dog, it’s for the dog, to keep your dog safe, that’s the key thing," he added.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Iran fires air defence batteries in provinces as explosions heard near Isfahan
Iran fired air defence batteries early Friday morning as explosions could be heard near a major air base near Isfahan, raising fears of a possible Israeli strike following Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.