Nationwide last year, 5,669 U.S. Postal Service employees were attacked in more than 1,400 cities. Medical expenses from dog attacks cost the Postal Service nearly $1.2 million last year.

Here are tips on dealing with a dog threatening to attack.

Don’t run past a dog. The dog’s natural instinct is to chase.

Don’t scream. Avoid eye contact. Try to remain motionless until the dog leaves, then back away slowly until the dog is out of sight.

Don’t approach a strange dog, especially one that’s tethered or confined.

People should obtain permission from the owner before petting a dog. Always let a dog see and sniff the person before petting.

If a dog is about to attack, people should try to place something between themselves and the dog, such as a backpack or a bicycle.

Here are ways owners can keep their dogs from attacking.

Obedience training can teach a pet proper behavior and help owners control their dogs.

When a carrier comes to the home, keep the dog inside, away from the door and in another room.

Dogs can be protective of their territory and may interpret the actions of letter carriers as a threat. Owners should take precautions when accepting mail in the presence of a pet.

Spay or neuter pets. Altered dogs are less likely to roam and bite.

Dogs that receive little attention or handling or are left tied up for long periods of time frequently turn into biters.

Letter carriers who fear for their safety due to a loose or unrestrained pet may curtail delivery and ask homeowners to pick up their mail at the post office until the carrier is assured the pet is restrained.

In cases where a carrier sees a dog roaming and can’t discern where it lives, mail delivery to the entire neighborhood could be curtailed.

For more information, go to www.avma.org/press/publichealth/ dogbite/mediakit.asp.