Atmos Energy is arming its meter readers with a new weapon to ward off dogs after a reported increased in the number of attacks.

"In some cases it requires the employee to have therapy, plastic surgery. We've had some employees who have left the company because of their fear after being attacked by dogs," company representative Danny Johnson said. "So, it has a long-lasting effect that we want to try to put an end to it."

To help workers do that, the company has distributed the Bite Terminator. The device looks like an ordinary umbrella, but provides a barrier between a worker and an attacking dog, while confusing and distracting the animal.

Worker Nina Martinez said she has been attacked 11 times since receiving the device -- the most recent event occurring on Friday.

"It scared him away. He came charging at me, and when I deployed it, he turned around, like, on two legs, and he ran," Martinez said.

Atmos is asking customers to make sure workers can acess utility meters without having to disturb dogs.