LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Dog attacks are on the rise in Louisville and letter carriers are often the target.
The US Postal Service says in Louisville it’s happening too often when letter carriers are trying to deliver mail dogs are delivering a bite.
"It's one of the hazards of the job," Scott Saito said.
Saito has been a letter carrier for a little over six months.
"Unfortunately, I got initiated really quick," Saito said.
Initiated into a group no postal worker wants to be a part of -- those who have been attacked by a dog.
In his first month or so of working Saito was bitten two separate times. The first time he was at a door to get a signature when he saw a couple Chihuahuas.
"At first they were barking and I wasn't alarmed, then one of them jumped up and bit my thigh right through my pants ... it was pretty gruesome," he said.
The second time a customer left their door open.
"Through his door a Pitbull came out charging and got my calf, ripped my pants," Saito said.
Saito used his mail bag to protect himself and both times doctors had to give him a tetanus shot.
"I went to the same emergency clinic and the same doctor said, 'You're back? You may want to pick a different occupation' and I said no, I like what I'm doing, it comes with the territory," Saito said.
Louisville ranks 14th in the country in most dog attacks as 28 were reported last year.
The US Postal Service says in Louisville mail carriers are being attacked by dogs. (WDRB photo)
"The dogs are doing what they're bred to do, they're protecting their home and owner," Saito said.
To keep your letter carrier safe, keep your dog inside the house and away from the door or on a leash. USPS offers carriers ways to protect themselves
"We have pepper spray which tends to work fairly well but the air horn is more effective, it tends to surprise the dog --- I've used it a handful of times," Saito said.
But he doesn't want to have to use it.
"I'm a dog lover," Saito said.
Saito hopes when you get your mail, you'll think about the safety of the person who got it there.
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