#USA #Washington #USPS #dog bite #Postal Safety

USPS Launches National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has revealed that more than 6,000 postal workers were attacked by dogs last year, prompting the organization to kick off the 2025 National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign. This month-long initiative, which began on June 1, aims to educate dog owners about how to keep postal workers safe during mail delivery. The theme for this year’s campaign is "Secure Your Dog, Keep the Mail Moving," encouraging residents to share information using the hashtag #dogbiteawareness.

Importance of Responsible Dog Ownership

According to Leeann Theriault, the Safety and Health Awareness Manager for USPS, preventing dog bites begins with responsible pet ownership. "Owners must train their dogs to obey commands and avoid allowing them to roam freely. Any dog—regardless of breed, size, or age—can bite, and many bites are completely preventable," explains Theriault. The main message of this year's campaign is simple but vital: keep your dog leashed and away from the postal delivery path when the mail is being delivered.

Helping Keep Postal Workers Safe

While many people love dogs, not everyone is an expert in dog behavior. Even a normally non-aggressive dog can react unpredictably in certain situations. Dogs may instinctively act defensively to protect their territory or their owners, and this behavior can arise when they feel anxious or threatened. To minimize the chance of a dangerous encounter, residents are encouraged to prepare prior to their mail carriers’ arrival.

For instance, residents typically know when their mail carrier will arrive. Owners should secure their dogs in another room or area far from the front door to reduce the likelihood of aggressive interactions. If there's a dog outside, it is crucial to keep it on a leash and away from the postal carrier. Additionally, children should not be allowed to retrieve mail directly from the mailman as dogs may view this as a threat.

Utilizing USPS Informed Delivery

To assist dog owners in estimating when their mail carrier will arrive, customers can subscribe to the free USPS Informed Delivery service. This service allows users to digitally preview their upcoming mail and packages on their computers, tablets, or smartphones. Since its launch in 2017, millions of users have registered for this service. Interested customers can sign up at informeddelivery.usps.com.

Financial Implications of Dog Attacks

The financial consequences of dog bites can be steep for dog owners. They may be held liable for thousands of dollars—covering medical expenses, lost wages, uniform replacements, and other forms of damages resulting from dog attacks on postal workers. As Jonah Helfrich, a postal worker from Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, shared, "Recently, while delivering mail, I was bitten on the wrist by a dog that broke through a door, requiring medical treatment. I urge all pet owners to take precautions to protect postal workers."

Safety Training for Postal Workers

Postal workers receive training to help them anticipate and manage interactions with dogs. They are taught to be vigilant and respectful of dogs’ territories, utilizing strategies such as making non-threatening noises or shaking their keys to alert dogs to their presence. Importantly, they are trained never to assume a dog is non-aggressive or attempt to pet or feed any dog. If a dog begins to display aggressive behaviors, postal workers are taught to stand firmly, placing a mail bag or other items between themselves and the dog while using deterrents if necessary.

Consequences of Unleashed Dogs

If a postal carrier feels unsafe delivering mail in a specific area, they have the authority to halt service. In cases where a mail carrier deems an area unsafe, residents will need to pick up their mail from the local post office until the threat is resolved. If the threat posed by unsecured dogs cannot be mitigated, dog owners may need to rent a post office box to receive mail safely.

2024's Dog Bite Hotspots

For a complete ranking of cities or towns with the highest number of dog attacks in 2024, residents can contact their local USPS communications representatives. Notably, the top twenty cities reporting the most dog attacks included:
1. Los Angeles, CA - 77 incidents
2. Houston, TX - 65 incidents
3. Chicago, IL - 57 incidents
... and others.

Additionally, states with the highest dog attack incidences included California, Texas, and Ohio.

Conclusion

The USPS plays a critical role in providing affordable and reliable mail and package services to nearly 169 million addresses weekly. As an independent federal agency, it operates without taxpayer funding and relies on the sale of products and services to sustain its operations. By raising awareness about dog bites, the USPS aims to protect its employees while continuing to serve American communities safely and effectively.