Dog Bite Cases Increase Among Postal Workers, USPS Responds
WASHINGTON — Incidents involving dog attacks on Postal Service employees rose to more than 5,800 cases last year. In response, the USPS has launched its 2024 National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign to provide essential information for dog owners on ensur…
WASHINGTON — Incidents involving dog attacks on Postal Service employees rose to more than 5,800 cases last year. In response, the USPS has launched its 2024 National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign to provide essential information for dog owners on ensuring safe mail delivery and protecting postal workers.
The campaign, themed "Don't let your dog bite the hand that serves you," runs from Sunday, June 2, through Sunday, June 9. The USPS encourages sharing information about the campaign using the hashtag #dogbiteawareness.
"Letter carriers are exposed to potential hazards every day, none more prevalent than a canine encounter. All it takes is one interaction for a letter carrier to possibly suffer an injury," said Leeann Theriault, USPS Manager, Employee Safety and Health Awareness. "The U.S. Postal Service consistently encourages responsible pet ownership. The national dog bite campaign is an effort to promote dog bite awareness to keep our customers, their dogs, and letter carriers safe while delivering the mail."
Dog Owners Can Help With Safe Mail Delivery
Letter carriers understand that all dogs, regardless of perceived temperament, can bite. Dogs are inherently protective of their territory, making it crucial for dog owners to manage their pets responsibly to ensure safe mail delivery.
Dog owners can help by securing their dogs before the letter carrier arrives. Suggested precautions include keeping dogs inside the house, behind a fence, in another room, or on a leash. Additionally, pet owners should instruct children not to take mail directly from a letter carrier, as the dog might perceive the carrier as a threat to the child.
Stay Informed, See the Mail Before It Arrives
Using the USPS service Informed Delivery, customers can digitally preview incoming mail and packages on a computer, tablet, or mobile device. Since its launch in 2017, more than 52 million customers have enrolled in this service, which helps dog owners anticipate the arrival of their mail carrier. Sign-up is available at informeddelivery.usps.com.
Consequences of a Dog Attack
According to the Insurance Information Institute, the average cost per insurance claim for a dog bite is $64,555. If a postal employee is injured, the dog's owner could be liable for medical bills, lost wages, uniform replacement costs, and the postal worker's pain and suffering.
Staying Focused on Delivering
Letter carriers are trained to recognize and mitigate potential dangers from dogs. They are taught to alert dogs to their presence by making non-threatening noises, avoid startling dogs, maintain visual contact with dogs, and never assume a dog will not bite. Carriers are also advised not to pet or feed dogs and to prevent dogs from escaping through outward swinging doors.
In the event of a dog attack, carriers are trained to stand their ground and protect themselves by placing an object between them and the dog, such as a mail satchel, and to use dog repellent if necessary.
"Even though a customer's dog is friendly to most people, it can always have a bad day," said letter carrier Tara Snyder. "I know, from experience, even when a dog is in the house, customers need to make sure their door is secure so their dog can't push it open and bite the letter carrier."
Tools and Protocols for Safety
The USPS provides carriers with tools to help manage dog-related risks. Carriers' handheld scanners feature a dog alert function to remind them of potential hazards, and dog warning cards are used during mail sorting to flag addresses with possible dog threats.
If a carrier feels unsafe, mail service may be suspended, and mail must be picked up at the local Post Office until it is safe to resume delivery. In cases where a dog issue remains unresolved, dog owners may be required to rent a Post Office box.
2023 Dog Attack Rankings by City
The 2023 data includes the top 20 cities for dog attacks on postal workers, with some cities tied for the same number of incidents. For specific data on dog attacks in your city, contact your local USPS public relations representative.
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