National Dog Bite Awareness Week Starts June 12

San Diego CA— More than 5,800 U.S. Postal Service employees were attacked by dogs last year. For Postal Service officials and mail carriers, one bite is one too many. It’s never too late to teach a dog a new trick. While dogs may not understand social distancing, it is critical they know how to stay sheltered in place as carriers make deliveries to residences and businesses in your neighborhood.
A recent report placed the city of San Diego among the top 10 of the nation for dog attacks. To emphasize the seriousness of this issue, USPS is sponsoring Dog Bite Awareness Week, June 12-18. You can review dog safety tips at uspsblog.com and https://go.usa.gov/x6K6E. A short animated video is also available at YouTube.com/USPSTV.

The Postal Service offers the following safety tips for dog owners:

• When a carrier delivers mail or packages to your front door, place your dog in a separate room and close that door before opening the front door. Dogs have been known to burst through screen doors or plate glass windows to attack visitors.
• Parents should remind children and other family members not to take mail directly from carriers in the presence of the family pet. The dog may view the carrier handing mail to a family member as a threatening gesture.
• If a carrier feels threatened by a dog, or if a dog is loose or unleashed, the owner may be asked to pick up mail at a Post Office location or other facility until the carrier is assured the pet has been restrained. If the dog is roaming the neighborhood, the pet owner’s neighbors also may be asked to pick up their mail at the area’s Post Office location.
• Sign up for Informed Delivery. You’ll know when parcels are being delivered in advance of the actual delivery and can take precautions to keep your carrier safe.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.