WASHINGTON — The U.S. Postal Service reported over 6,000 dog attack incidents involving its employees in 2024, prompting the launch of its 2025 National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign on June 1, 2025. The month-long initiative, themed “Secure Your Dog, Keep Deliveries on Track,” aims to educate dog owners on preventing attacks to ensure safe mail delivery. The campaign, promoted with the hashtag #dogbiteawareness, emphasizes responsible pet ownership to protect postal workers.
“The best way to keep safe from dog attacks is to recognize and promote the responsibility of pet ownership, such as teaching your dog appropriate behavior and commands and not allowing your dog to roam freely. All dogs — regardless of breed, size or age — have the potential to bite,” said Leeann Theriault, USPS employee safety and health awareness manager. “Dog bite attacks on postal employees are preventable. The most important message for our customers to remember during the 2025 USPS National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign is keep your dog secured and away from the carrier as the mail is being delivered. Help ensure the safety of everyone in our communities.”
Dog attacks can occur unexpectedly, even with typically non-aggressive dogs, due to instincts to protect their owners or property. The USPS advises owners to secure dogs before carriers arrive, ideally in a separate room or on a leash away from delivery areas. Owners should also ensure doors are firmly closed to prevent dogs from escaping. Children should not take mail directly from carriers, as dogs may perceive them as threats. The free USPS Informed Delivery service allows customers to preview mail digitally, helping them anticipate carrier visits and secure pets.
Injuries from dog attacks can result in significant costs for owners, including medical bills, lost wages, uniform replacements, and compensation for pain and suffering. “Customers may not consider their dog a danger to others, however, to a letter carrier like me, all dogs can be considered a threat when delivering the mail,” said Jonah Helfrich, a Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, letter carrier. “I was recently delivering mail and a dog barged through a door and bit me on the wrist, which required me to seek medical treatment. I strongly encourage all dog owners to take precautions to make sure their dog is secure when mail is being delivered.”
Mail carriers are trained to minimize risks, using techniques like making non-threatening noises, avoiding startling dogs, and never assuming a dog won’t bite. They use tools such as handheld scanner alerts and dog warning cards during mail sorting to identify potential hazards. Carriers may place their foot against outward-swinging doors or use mail satchels as barriers if attacked. Dog repellent is available as a last resort.
If a carrier feels unsafe, mail delivery can be suspended, requiring owners to pick up mail at their local Post Office. Persistent issues may lead to requirements for renting a Post Office box. For residents unaware of suspended service, contacting the local Post Office supervisor is necessary.
In 2024, Los Angeles led cities with 77 incidents, followed by Houston (65) and Chicago (57). California topped states with 701 cases, followed by Texas (438) and Ohio (350). For local 2024 dog attack rankings, contact the USPS Corporate Communications representative at the USPS media contacts page.
The campaign underscores the shared responsibility of dog owners and the Postal Service to ensure safe deliveries. By securing pets and using tools like Informed Delivery, owners can help reduce incidents and protect carriers.
