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Despite an Increase in the Number of Package Deliveries, Mail Carriers Report Fewer Dog Attacks

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In a world where you can buy anything with a few clicks and have it delivered to your home, you would think the number of incidences in which a dog attacks or bites a mail carrier would go up. But thankfully, that isn’t the case.

To coincide with National Dog Bite Awareness Week, the United States Postal Service just released its yearly reports on how many of its employees were bitten or attacked by a dog. In 2019, it recorded 5,803 incidents, more than 200 fewer than in 2018 and more than 400 fewer since 2017. The decline is in part due to technology that can help avoid potential attacks, including asking people if there is a dog in the home, along with alerting customers when their packages will be delivered, allowing them to secure their dog, if needed.

Related: Mailman Builds Ramp for Senior Dog on His Route

Houston reported the most dog bites in 2019 (85), followed by Los Angeles (74), Chicago (54), Cleveland (51) and Dallas (40).

As many of us dog parents are still self-quarantining to an extent, it is important to ensure mail carriers feel safe.

Here are a few ways to avoid a potential disaster:

  • When a mail carrier comes to your home, put your dog in another room. USPS has reported that dogs who view the carrier as a threat have been known to bust through the front-door screen or barge through a door.
  • If your dog is at the door, USPS suggests household members, including children, avoid taking mail directly from the carrier, as this can be seen as a threat.

If a mail carrier feels threatened, he or she may require a dog parent to go to the post office to pick up mail.

Related: Postman Writes Special Letters to Dog Who Loves Getting Mail

By Andrea Huspeni

Andrea Huspeni is the founder and CEO of This Dog's Life. Her mission it to help dogs live a happier, healthier and longer life. When she isn't working, she spends time with her two dogs, Lola and Milo. She resides in Brooklyn, NY.

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