LOS ANGELES, May 12, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Millions of people receive dog bites in the United States every year. For meter readers at Southern California Gas Co. (The Gas Company), dog bites can be a daily hazard.
"To ensure the safety of our employees, we ask our customers who own dogs to safely confine them behind a fence, wall or other reliable partition," said Pam Fair, vice president, Customer Operations.
The Gas Company's meter readers receive extensive training on how to avoid dog bites. "If meter readers believe there's an aggressive dog at a customer's home, then they won't enter the property unless they've confirmed with the customer that the dog is properly confined," Fair added.
Still, 25 of The Gas Company's meter readers were bitten by dogs last year, and dozens more had close calls, Fair said. The number-one cause is dogs making their way through improper confinements--jumping over short fences, pushing open loose gates or doors, or breaking free from a customer's hold. The other major cause of dog bites is dogs running loose in the streets. Customers can prepare for meter reading visits ahead of time by looking on their bills, which show upcoming meter-reading dates.
"Customers often believe their dogs don't bite, but experts on dog behavior say that all dogs can and will bite under certain circumstances," Fair said.
The Gas Company is the nation's largest natural gas distribution utility, providing safe and reliable energy to 19.5 million consumers through 5.5 million meters. The company's service territory encompasses approximately 20,000 square miles in most of central and Southern California. The Gas Company strives to provide exceptional customer service to enhance the quality of life in the community. The Gas Company is a regulated subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE:SRE). Sempra Energy, based in San Diego, is a Fortune 500 energy services holding company. To learn more, go to www.socalgas.com.