Dog attacks on Postal Service employees increased to over 5,800 incidents last year. As part of the USPS 2024 National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign, the organization is providing vital information on how dog owners can help ensure the safety of mail carriers in order to cut down on the number of dog bite cases.
The campaign starts Sunday, July 2nd, and runs through Sunday, July 9th, with this year’s theme being “Don’t let your dog bite the hand that serves you.”
“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,” says Leeann Theriault, USPS Manager, Employee Safety and Health Awareness.
How Dog Owners Can Help With Safe Mail Deliveries
Letter carriers understand that all dogs can bite, even those considered non-aggressive. Dogs are naturally protective of their territory, making it essential for dog owners to control them for safe mail delivery.
Knowing when your letter carrier usually arrives helps in securing your dog beforehand, minimizing any potential danger.
When a letter carrier approaches your home, keep dogs:
- Inside the house or behind a fence
- Away from the door or in another room, or
- On a leash
Additionally, it’s important to remind children not to take mail directly from a letter carrier, as dogs may see the carrier as a threat to the child.
Stay Informed and See Mail Before it Arrives
By using Informed Delivery, a free USPS service, customers can digitally preview incoming mail and packages from a computer, tablet, or mobile device. More than 52 million customers have enrolled since the service was launched in 2017. Sign-up is available at informeddelivery.usps.com. This service can help dog owners anticipate when their carrier will arrive.
Consequences of A Dog Attack
According to the Insurance Information Institute, the average cost per insurance claim for a dog bite is $64,555.
When a postal employee suffers an injury, the owner could be responsible for medical bills, lost wages, uniform replacement costs, and pain and suffering for the employee.
How Postal Workers Can Protect Themselves From Dog Bites
Letter carriers are trained to be vigilant in areas where dogs may be present. They are taught to stay alert for potentially dangerous conditions and respect a dog’s territory.
Letter carriers are trained to:
- Make a non-threatening noise or rattle a fence to alert a dog when 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, and
- Place their foot against an outward-swinging door to prevent a dog from escaping
If a dog attacks, carriers are also trained to stand their ground and protect their body by placing something 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, so by both the homeowner and the postal worker taking these precautions, we can cut down on the number of unnecessary dog attacks.
As dog bite attorneys, we know that even with all of these precautions in place, some dogs can and will still attack. If you or a loved one should find yourself injured after a dog bite, it’s always best to speak with a dog bite attorney to ensure you are being fully compensated for your injuries, any lost time from work, and more.
Dog Bite Lawyers in Lancaster, Pa.
Our experienced and successful dog bite attorneys have helped countless dog bite victims get the monetary compensation they deserve.
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