Dog Bite Prevention

Lets Work Together To Prevent Dog Bites

You can help protect AEP Ohio employees by providing safe access to your electric meter. Dogs and other pets pose a serious threat to our employees – especially meter readers and line mechanics.

Did you know that an estimated 4.7 million Americans are bitten each year? Approximately 800,000 people are admitted to U.S. emergency departments annually with dog-bite associated injuries and another 386,000 are seen in other medical settings. Sixty percent of bite victims will be children. Over the past three years, AEP Ohio employees have suffered 27 dog bites.

Safety is the first thing AEP Ohio thinks about when delivering electric service that’s there when you need it. Our employees are specially trained to do a dangerous job safely, but aggressive dogs represent a different kind of challenge.

Responsible pet ownership is the key to reducing the likelihood of a dog bite. AEP Ohio offers the following tips:

• Safely secure your dog inside the house or business on the day of the scheduled meter reading, as well as the day before and after.
• Make sure pets are secured away from the meter and meter path
• Do not let your children play with the dog in the yard when the meter is being read. The dog may feel it necessary to protect the child or the child may play with the dog in an aggressive manner which could heighten the dog’s reaction to a stranger.
• If you have any electric fence or other invisible pet containment system, please let us know so that we may update your account.

The next scheduled meter reading date is listed on your bill. However, we may read your meter within three business days of the scheduled reading date. To obtain a list of reading dates for your area, please contact us at the number listed on your electric bill or visit meter reading schedule online.

Let's work together to prevent dog bites and ensure safety.