(LOUISVILLE, Ky. - August 6, 2004) Are dogs really a man's best friend? Most of the time, but for LG&E Energy meter readers, dogs are the biggest danger they face on the job. That's why on Aug. 9 at 8:30 a.m., more than 150 meter readers for Louisville Gas and Electric, Kentucky Utilities and their contractors will undergo a "Bite-Prevention" course at Auburndale Operations Center, at 6900 Enterprise Drive.

Taught by Bulli Ray Enterprises of Ocala, Fla., the goal of the class is to reduce the number of dog bites suffered by meter readers. Participants will learn canine psychology and behavior and strategies on dealing with hostile dogs as well as witness live demonstrations featuring Rottweiler and Belgium Malinois breeds.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every 40 seconds a person seeks medical attention due to a dog bite, with nearly 60 percent of all dog bites occurring between April and the end of September. Almost $165 million dollars a year are spent on treatment of dog bites in the United States, for the estimated 800,000 dog bite related injuries that require care.

"It's not a matter of if our employees are confronted by a dog, but when, and what they can do to prevent injury" said Joe Welsh, Health and Safety Specialist for LG&E Energy. "We are equipping employees with essential survival tactics to confront a hostile animal and prevent a serious incident."



LG&E Energy LLC, headquartered in Louisville, Ky., is a diversified energy services company. LG&E Energy owns and operates Louisville Gas and Electric Company, a regulated utility that serves 312,000 natural gas and 384,000 electric customers in Louisville and 16 surrounding counties, and Kentucky Utilities Company, a regulated electric utility in Lexington, Ky., that serves 512,000 customers in 77 Kentucky counties and five counties in Virginia.