Dread, the pit bull terrier, usually shares billing with Hollywood stars. But this week, he had the lead role in a training session for Wyoming meter readers.
Dread, owned by Diane Jessup from the Center for Canine Aggression Studies in Washington state, has roles in the soon-to-be released film, Danger Sign, with Marlee Matlin and Martin Sheen, and the MacCauley Culkin movie, "The Good Son," which is still in production.This week he helped meter readers learn to recognize dangerous dogs and their behavior and to avoid and survive attacks.
One by one, the workers donned a protective sleeve and braced themselves as Dread charged across a Casper hotel ballroom and attacked them.
Each of the 23 KN Energy, Pacific Power and Light and Casper Water Department workers participating in the program had had firsthand experience with dog attacks - minus the protective gear.
Robin Bisiar, the first to be attacked by the snarling 75-pound dog, was out of work for a week after a dog bit her on the hand, leg and buttocks while she was on the job. She is a five-year veteran KN Energy meter reader.
Dread charged across the room, lunged up and latched onto Bisiar's protective sleeve. She tried to shake him off.
"I never saw him coming," she said. "After today . . . I won't turn my back on them anymore."
Jessup said some dog owners think its funny when their pets chase letter carriers or meter readers.
"They think their dog will just tear the seat of their pants or something," she said. "That's not the case. Dog bites can keep people out of work for a long time."
She said about 100 people each year die after being mauled by dogs.