Man bites dog

Specifically, that would be U.S. Postal Service public affairs officer Mark Saunders. Well, only metaphorically. He writes to remind us that it's not a myth or a funny cartoon scenario: 5,581 postal employees were attacked by dogs last year. That may sound like a lot but it's only a bit more than 1/1,000th of the 4.5 million people who were bitten by dogs in the U.S., half of them children. Sayeth the CDC,885,000 people required medical attention for dog bites, and 27,000 people needed reconstructive surgery.

We don't like to acknowledge this because most people love dogs and feel like their dogs love them. They probably do, whatever that means to  dog, but they're still wolves and they are also dangerous. Most people do not take this seriously. From CDC:

• Spay/neuter your dog (this often reduces aggressive tendencies).
• Never leave infants or young children alone with a dog. Seriously folks -- not a joke! You could really, really regret it. No matter how well you think you now Fluffy.
• Don’t play aggressive games with your dog (e.g., wrestling).
• Properly socialize and train any dog entering your household. Teach the dog submissive behaviors (e.g., rolling over to expose the abdomen and giving up food without growling).
• Immediately seek professional advice (e.g., from veterinarians, animal behaviorists, or responsible trainers) if the dog develops aggressive or undesirable behaviors.

Teach children basic safety tips and review them regularly:

• Do not approach an unfamiliar dog.
• Do not run from a dog or scream.
• Remain motionless (e.g., "be still like a tree") when approached by an unfamiliar dog.
• If knocked over by a dog, roll into a ball and be still.
• Do not play with a dog unless supervised by an adult.
• Immediately report stray dogs or dogs displaying unusual behavior to an adult.
• Avoid direct eye contact with a dog.
• Do not disturb a dog that is sleeping, eating, or caring for puppies.
• Do not pet a dog without allowing it to see and sniff you first.
• If bitten, immediately report the bite to an adult.