BRISTOL, Conn. -- The Bristol Post Office said its carriers are bucking the trend by avoiding the proverbial dog bites.

Channel 3 Eyewitness News reporter Eric Parker reported that after being the state leader with nine bites in 2006, the Bristol Post Office made changes and now other offices are following its lead.

"We took a hard line," said Bristol Postmaster Michael Parent. "If people had a dog out, we didn't deliver. We really wanted to protect our employees."

Parker reported that some houses didn't receive mail at all for days because the dog was outside.

Parent said the approach led to a decrease in bites by 67 percent last year. A letter carrier has yet to be bitten in the city this year.

"I think with all the attention we got last year, I think it was well received, and a lot of people took a lot of caution with the dogs and I appreciate all the help," he said.

The office also put together dog-warning sheets. The sheets provide carriers with a list of all of the dogs on every route that Bristol letter carriers deliver to. Parent said even substitute carriers can be aware of where dogs are.

"We identify all the homes that have dogs, whether they're friendly or foe, at least when you're approaching the yard, if you're unfamiliar with the territory," he said. "It allows them to know there's a dog in the area and be a little bit more cautious."

Parker reported that the dog-warning lists have been adopted by other post offices.

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