DOGS, POSTMEN DON'T ALWAYS MIX

Neither rain nor sleet nor snow will stop postal carriers from their appointed rounds.

But Rover might.

Letter carriers are trained to deal with situations involving dogs, said Cape Girardeau Postmaster Michael Keefe. "But where we have continued problems with dogs, we may withdraw services. In some cases, where a dog or dogs may be roaming, we may cut service for an entire block."

Letter carrier Susan DeClue suffered a dog bite last weekend. DeClue, a carrier for the Cape Girardeau Post Office, was familiar with most of the dogs in the neighborhood where she delivers mail, but Saturday a new dog appeared.

"The dog was not under restraints," said Keefe, "it approached her from the back and bit the carrier on the back of the left leg."

DeClue was taken to the hospital for treatment but returned to continue her rounds.

"This is the first dog bite on a carrier here this year," said Keefe.

The post office is observing its annual dog-bite prevention week this week.

Dog bites and other topics will be discussed this week during the Missouri Postmasters Convention, which starts at 9 a.m. today at the Holiday Inn Convention Center. More than 350 members of the United States Association of Postmasters, Missouri Chapter, will be in Cape Girardeau for the start of the convention, which runs through Friday.

"Nationally, dog bites are major problems facing mail carriers," said Keefe. "In Cape Girardeau we'll have from one to five or six bites a year."

Nationally, 2,851 letter carriers reported dog bites in 1995.

It isn't just letter carriers who are in danger: Last year 4.7 million Americans were dog-bite victims. The majority of victims, nearly 3 million, were children, the post office said.

More than 20 dog-bite cases have been reported to Cape Girardeau police this year.

About one bite in five requires medical attention. In a typical year there are nine to 12 fatal dog attacks in the United States, the Humane Society of the United States reported.

The post office and Humane Society are cooperating to bring attention to the problem of dog bites -- and the fact that preventing bites is the responsibility of dog owners.

"We take dog bites very seriously," said Keefe. "Our carriers are trained to deal with a number of situations concerning dogs," said Keefe.

Mike Heuschober, Jackson postmaster, said: "We're very cautious about dogs. Our carriers have dog cards. They note any dog problems and where they are. The cards are kept on file, and if the regular carrier can't make a route, the substitute is made aware of any problem."

Three to four dog bites a year are reported by the Jackson Post Office.

John Blackwell, officer in charge at the Scott City Post Office, knows of a few dog problems there.

"I've walked the routes with some of our carriers," said Blackwell. "There are some dogs which are kept housed or on restraints at some addresses."

Mail carriers carry a special spray to ward off dogs.

The Humane Society recommends obedience training for dogs to help control their behavior, as well as spaying or neutering the animal and making sure that it is inside when the mail carrier arrives.

The Insurance Information Institute reports that dog-bite claims cost $1 billion annually in the United States. State Farm Insurance says that about one in three homeowner insurance claims for bodily injury involves a dog bite.

The post office seeks damages for dog bites to its carriers. "We go to the dog owners," said Keefe. "We seek damages for the cost of treatment and time loss."

It is up to dog owners to protect the public from bites. A Cape Girardeau ordinance requires dogs to be restrained on their owners' property by a leash or a fence. They must have their rabies shots and be licensed.

Keefe remembers one incident involving a dog when he was a mail carrier.

"One morning when I was carrying mail I walked upon a porch surrounded by high bushes," said Keefe. "There on the porch was a large German shepherd.

"This was something new for this particular house," said Keefe. "We usually know where dogs are in the neighborhood we carry mail in."

"When I saw the dog I backed away slowly," said Keefe. "When the dog came off the porch, I looked for another alternative."

Keefe found the alternative on top of a new car parked in the driveway. "I jumped on top of the car," he said.

"The owner of the house and car came out and asked what the heck I was doing on top of his new car," said Keefe.

"I told him his dog was threatening to rip my leg off," said Keefe.

"This isn't my dog," said the car owner.

DOG BITES

The U.S. Postal Service is observing Dog Bite Prevention Week this week.

- A Cape Girardeau mail carrier suffered the first dog bite of the year last weekend.

- Up to five dog bites a year are reported by the Cape Girardeau Post Office.

- The Jackson Post Office reports three to four dog bites to mail carriers each year.

- Nationally, 4.7 million Americans were dog-bite victims last year; 3 million were children; 2,800 were mail carriers.

A 27-year study in New York City found:

- Most likely to bite

1. German shepherds

2. Chows

3. Poodles

- Least likely to bite

1. Labrador retrievers