SAFETY TOPICS
Protecting Your Employees from Dog Bites
Dogs, like people, are incredibly diverse, each possessing its own unique personality.1 In some cases, that means they can be protective of their human families, possessions, and territory—which is a natural and instinctual behavior.2,3 A dog may exhibit defensive behavior for other reasons, too. Factors like stress, fear, being in heat, injury or illness—even play—are all triggers.4 The best way to avoid an incident is to be proactive and have guidelines in place for both employees and customers, as well as to train employees on how to handle an encounter with a dog.5
A lesson from the postal service
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, approximately 40 percent of households in the United States have at least one canine companion.6 For businesses that provide services at customer homes, it is important that employees are trained to respond if they encounter a dog. One such example is the United States Postal Service (USPS), which is no stranger to the issue. (According to the USPS, mail carriers are one of the top three victims of dog bites.7) Not only does the USPS educate the public through a national awareness campaign on how to protect mail carriers, but they also provide training to their employees and place their safety as top priority.7,8 They also encourage customers to place stickers on their mailboxes to notify postal workers of a dog being present.
Be preemptive and be prepared
Because of COVID-19, traffic to customer homes has increased, particularly by delivery drivers, and with that Summit has seen a rise in biting incidences. To help reduce these, employers can require that before employees enter a customer’s property, pets are placed in a closed room or restrained in a kennel or on a leash. If your employees arrive at a residence, and those guidelines haven’t been followed, have them reschedule the service instead of putting themselves at risk.
In the case that an employee encounters a dog, here are some suggestions:8,9,10
- Avoid startling a dog. Make your presence known before you enter its territory by whistling, honking your horn, or rattling the fence to gauge their response.
- Keep your eyes on the animal to monitor its behavior. Be aware of the dog and your surroundings. Pay close attention to its body language. Some signs of aggression are growling, barking, stiffness, baring teeth, yawning, and pulled back head and ears.
- Talk to them in a friendly manner. If you know a dog’s name, use it.
- Do not attempt to pet or feed the dog. As hard as it may be to resist giving Fido a pat, it’s safer to just keep your distance.
If a worst-case scenario occurs, employees need to know how to respond appropriately.9,11
- Back away slowly and leave the area if you notice the animal becoming agitated.
- Use a soft object as a barrier between you and the dog if it attempts to bite.
- Avoid running, as this may trigger an instinctual response to chase.
- Seek medical attention immediately if you are bitten and inform your employer.
- Use a humane dog repellent spray if the dog attacks as a last resort; be sure to adhere to the guidelines of use set by your employer.
Again, the best way to reduce the risk is to educate both customers and employees regarding company protocols that not only protect employees, but also respect customers and their pets.
Footnotes
1. “Dogs.” The Humane Society of the United States, www.humanesociety.org/animals/dogs (Accessed 23 July 2020).
2. “Possessive and Territorial Aggression in Dogs.” PetMD, Aug. 14, 2008, www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/behavioral/c_dg_aggression_territorial (Accessed 23 July 2020).
3. “How to Deal with Territorial Dogs.” ASPCA Pet Insurance, ASPCA & U.S. Fire Ins. Co., www.aspcapetinsurance.com/resources/how-to-deal-with-territorial-dogs (Accessed 23 July 2020).
4. “Why Do Dogs Bite?” American Veterinary Medical Association, AVMA, www.avma.org/resources/pet-owners/why-do-dogs-bite. Accessed 22 July 2020.
5. “Dog Bite Prevention.” ASPCA, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/dog-bite-prevention (Accessed 23 July 2020).
6. “U.S. Pet Ownership Statistics.” AVMA, American Veterinary Medical Association, www.avma.org/resources-tools/reports-statistics/us-pet-ownership-statistics (Accessed 23 July 2020).
7. “National Dog Bite Awareness Week.” USPS, United States Postal Service, about.usps.com/what/corporate-social-responsibility/activities/dog-bite-awareness.htm (Accessed 23 July 2020).
8. “Dog Bite Prevention.” Postal Posts, United States Postal Service, 11 June 2020, uspsblog.com/dog-bite-prevention (Accessed 23 July 2020).
9. Trotto, Sarah. “Avoiding Dog Bites.” Safety+Health Magazine, 21 Feb. 2015, www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/11903-avoiding-dog-bites (Accessed 23 July 2020).
10. “Aggression.” ASPCA, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/common-dog-behavior-issues/aggression (Accessed 22 July 2020).
11. “Using Dog Repellent.” United States Postal Service, 2007, about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2007/html/pb22205/dogkit.3.21.html. (Accessed 29 July 2020).
Disclaimer
The information presented in this publication is intended to provide guidance and is not intended as a legal interpretation of any federal, state or local laws, rules or regulations applicable to your business. The loss prevention information provided is intended only to assist policyholders of Summit managed insurers in the management of potential loss producing conditions involving their premises and/or operations based on generally accepted safe practices. In providing such information, Summit Consulting LLC does not warrant that all potential hazards or conditions have been evaluated or can be controlled. It is not intended as an offer to write insurance for such conditions or exposures. The liability of Summit Consulting LLC and its managed insurers is limited to the terms, limits and conditions of the insurance policies underwritten by any of them.