USPS Warns of Dog Attacks on Postal Workers

The United States Postal Service (USPS) has issued a warning urging Americans to secure their dogs during mail deliveries. Last year, over 5,200 postal workers were attacked by dogs. This warning coincides with the USPS’s annual Dog Bite Awareness campaign in June, aimed at minimizing these incidents and promoting responsible pet ownership.

Leeann Theriault, the USPS employee safety and health awareness manager, stated, “Every single day, our postal employees serve their communities across dynamic, fast-changing environments.” She emphasized that preventing dog-related incidents requires ongoing, collective effort.

Even calm and well-behaved dogs can behave unpredictably if they feel threatened or protective of their territory. The USPS advises Americans to secure their pets during mail deliveries. This includes keeping dogs restrained before opening doors and leashed during delivery hours. It also suggests avoiding direct mail acceptance if pets are nearby.

The agency further warned that dog attacks have significant financial implications for owners, including medical expenses and other costs. An example provided was a San Antonio letter carrier, Fiona Hudson, who was attacked by a dog that jumped a fence. She suffered serious injuries and was hospitalized. Despite physical recovery, the trauma of the attack remains with her. Hudson stressed the importance of securing pets.

Failure to secure pets can impact mail service. “When a carrier feels unsafe because of a roaming dog, mail service can be temporarily suspended,” according to the USPS. In such cases, residents may need to collect their mail from a local post office. Persistent issues may require homeowners to rent a P.O. box. Neighbors of pet owners with dangerous dogs might also need to collect mail from the post office.

Last year, Los Angeles reported the highest number of dog attacks on mail carriers with 70 incidents. Dallas followed with 50, Denver with 45, Houston with 44, and Chicago with 43, according to USPS data.

The USPS emphasizes employee safety as a top priority. Mail delivery may be disrupted if pets are not secured, highlighting the importance of shared responsibility among dog owners.