Dogs biting postal workers more fact than fiction. Is this a problem in Texas?
Dogs attacking postal workers may seem like a tall tale, but in reality, it happens more often than you think.
In 2021 alone, over 5,400 postal workers were attacked by dogs, whether that be bites, scratches or nips, according to the United States Postal Service. California had 656 attacks, the highest number of reported dog bites. Texas settled for second place with 368 attacks, a slight decrease from 2020’s 410.
Fort Worth had 26 reported dog attacks in 2021, landing the city at 16th overall on the USPS list. Cleveland, Ohio secured the most dog attacks per city last year with a reported 58. Houston was next with 54. Dallas (38) and San Antonio (30) also made the list.
To help spread awareness on the do’s and don’t’s of dog ownership, the USPS has named June 5 to 11, National Dog Bite Awareness Week.
This year’s theme is, “The USPS Delivers for America — Deliver for Us by Restraining Your Dog.”
“While it’s a dog’s natural instinct to protect their family and home, we ask all customers to act responsibly by taking safety precautions with their dogs while the mail is being delivered,” said Leeann Theriault, USPS Employee Safety and Health Awareness Manager. “When a carrier comes to the residence, keep the dog inside the house and away from the door — or behind a fence on a leash — to avoid an attack.”
What dog owners are responsible for
The USPS stresses that pet owners might insist their dogs are friendly, but even passive fur babies can bite in certain situations.
Dogs are territorial animals and are typically protective of their owner and owner’s property. While a dog may be the one attacking a postal worker, its the owner’s responsibility to contain and control the animal, the USPS says.
Here’s what the USPS recommends pet owners do when a postal worker approaches their home with mail or packages:
- Keep dogs inside the house, behind a fence, away from the door or on a leash, when someone is approaching.
- Remind children not to grab mail from letter carriers, as dogs may view the carrier as a threat.
- Sign up for Informed Delivery, a service that gives customers a free digital preview of their mail so they can make the necessary arrangements when parcels are delivered.
What a postal worker is responsible for
Letter carriers are trained to observe an area where a dog may be present, to be alert for dangerous conditions and how to respect a dog’s territory, according to the USPS.
Some of the things letter carriers are trained in are:
- Not to startle a dog.
- To keep their eye on them.
- Never assume one won’t bite.
- Make noise to alert a dog if entering a yard.
- Never try to feed or pet a dog.
- To place their foot on an outdoor swinging door.
- Protect their body with items such as a mail satchel, in the event of an attack.
The USPS stresses that dog bites are preventable and even one is too many. The best way to keep both the postal worker and dog safe, are for both parties to recognize and promote responsibility, the USPS noted.
