Daniel Afzal/U.S. Postal Service
The things that make ‘em go woof?
Naturally, it’s the postman. Dogs and postmen. There’s a dissertation on that topic. Or should be.
The U.S. Postal Service’s annual National Dog Bite Awareness campaign kicked off Saturday with a message: Pet owners be responsible. Secure your dog and keep postal deliveries on track.
Incidents involving dog attacks on Postal Service employees rose to more than 6,000 cases last year. As part of the 2025 USPS National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign, the organization is offering information on how dog owners can be good stewards for safe mail delivery and ensure the safety of its employees.
Texas overall is a problem, coming in second nationally with 438 dog bites. California ranked first. Fort Worth was tied for 20th with 15 in 2024. Houston (No. 2), Dallas (No. 6), San Antonio (No. 11), and El Paso (No. 24) are all bigger problems than Fort Worth.
"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.”
You can also spread news of the campaign with the hashtag #dogbiteawareness.
“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."
The USPS has a few tips for customers:
- Keep your dog in a separate room or area away from the door when the mail carrier comes to your house.
- If you go outside, close the door firmly behind you and make sure it is secured so your dog doesn't slip out or bust through it unexpectedly.
- If you are outside with your dog while mail is being delivered, make sure your dog is secured away from the mail carrier and on a leash.
- Never accept the mail from your mail carrier in the presence of your dog. Pet owners also should remind children not to take mail directly from a letter carrier because the dog may view the carrier as a threat to the child.
One useful tool is USPS Informed Delivery. A free service, customers can digitally preview incoming mail and packages from a computer, tablet, or mobile device. Millions have enrolled since the service was launched in 2017. Sign up at informeddelivery.usps.com. This service can help dog owners anticipate when their carrier will arrive.
Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.
But if they believe a home is unsafe because of an unsafe dog, they’re not coming.
Don’t miss a delivery.
