Incidents involving dog attacks on U.S. Postal Service (USPS) employees rose to more than 5,800 cases last year. Florida ranks No. 7 in the nation for dog bites, with 193 dog attacks on postal service employees in 2023, according to a news release.
As part of the USPS’ 2024 National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign, which ran from June 2 to June 9, the organization offers information on how dog owners can be good stewards for safe mail delivery and ensure the safety of the postal employees. This year’s theme was “Don’t let your dog bite the hand that serves you.”
Dog owners can help with safe mail delivery
Letters carriers know all dogs can bite, even those perceived as nonaggressive. Dogs are generally protective of their turf and dog owners have a responsibility to control them.
Most people know the approximate time the letter carrier arrives every day, so dogs should be secured before the carrier approaches to minimize potential dangerous interactions.
Owners should keep dogs inside the house or behind a fence; away from the door or in another room; or on a leash.
Pet owners also should remind children not to take mail directly from the letter carrier, as the dog may view the carrier as a threat to the child.
Consequences of a dog attack
According to the most recent information available from the Insurance Information Institute, the average cost per insurance claim for a dog bite is $64,555, the release says.
When a postal employee suffers an injury, the owner could be responsible for medical bills, lost wages, uniform replacement costs, and pain and suffering.
Stay focused on deliveringLetter carriers are trained to observe an area where they know dogs may be present, be alert for potential dangerous conditions and to respect a dog’s territory. Carriers are trained to:
- Make a non-threatening noise or rattle a fence to alert a dog if entering a yard
- Never startle a dog
- Keep their eyes on any dog
- Never assume a dog will not bite
- Never attempt to pet or feed a dog
- Place their foot against an outward swinging door to prevent a dog from escaping
If a dog does attack, carriers also are trained to stand their ground and protect their body by placing something between themselves and the dog — such as a mail satchel — and to use dog repellent if necessary.
The letter carriers also have a dog feature on a handheld scanner to remind them of a possible dog hazard. Dog warning cards must be used during mail sorting to alert carriers to addresses where a dog could interfere with delivery.
Holding the mail
When a postal carrier feels unsafe, mail service can be stopped. Until the carrier feels safe enough to restart delivery, the pet owner will have to pick up their mail at the local post office.
2023 dog attack rankings by city
The top five cities in Florida reporting dog attacks are: Miami, 21; Saint Petersburg, 15; Jacksonville, 10; Orlando, 9; and Tampa, 6.
Published June 12, 2024
