SAN FRANCISCO – Every day, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) meter readers, gas service representatives and other employees enter yards and homes to read meters, re-light gas pilots and provide other types of customer service.

During National Dog Bite Prevention Week, May 17 through 23, PG&E reminds customers to make sure their dog is safe and secure whenever a PG&E employee is scheduled to visit your home or business.

Each year approximately 50 PG&E employees are moderately to severely attacked by dogs. Because PG&E is committed to employee safety, the company provides employees the opportunity to attend a dog bite prevention course that informs them about dog behavior and temperament, and how to protect themselves in the event of an attack.

PG&E works with customers to keep dogs safely away when employees are scheduled to visit their home or business. Customers can find out when their meter is scheduled to be read by visiting www.pge.com/meterreading or by calling PG&E’s customer service line at 1-800-PGE-5000. These schedules are subject to change, so please re-check the day before a scheduled meter read.

Here are some tips to provide a safe environment for your dog and PG&E employees:

– Restrain or relocate your dog when it is time for PG&E employees to read your meter.
– Confine your dog as necessary. If the employee is outside, keep your dog inside. If the employee is inside, keep your dog outside. If the employee must work near your dog, make sure it is secure. Dogs may become more protective in the presence of their owners.
– Post a Beware of Dog sign on your fence or house to avoid any surprises.
– Leave a note on your meter explaining that you have a dog and how it is confined.
– Be sure all vaccinations and inoculations for rabies and parasites are up to date.
– Train your dog to obey simple commands like "sit," "stay," "no" and "come."
– Collar your dog, so you have the means to quickly restrain your dog in any emergency.
– If you get a new dog, contact PG&E at 1-800-PGE-5000 to let them know.