With over 6,000 reported dog attacks on mail carriers in 2024, the United States Postal Service has launched its annual National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign in an effort to raise awareness and reduce preventable incidents. The campaign began on Sunday, June 1, and runs through the month with the theme: “Secure Your Dog, Keep Deliveries on Track.”
USPS is urging the public—particularly dog owners—to take greater responsibility in protecting mail carriers from potential harm. “The best way to keep safe from dog attacks is to recognize and promote the responsibility of pet ownership,” 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.”
According to USPS, dogs can act unpredictably—even those with no history of aggression—and often react instinctively to protect their owners or territory. Dogs may bite when startled, anxious, or unwell, and even familiar pets may become threats during routine mail deliveries. USPS is reminding customers to secure dogs indoors or behind fences during delivery hours and never to open the door for mail in a dog’s presence.
Even well-intentioned interactions can escalate into attacks. Dog owners are urged not to allow children to receive mail directly from carriers, as dogs may misinterpret the action as threatening. “Many of us are dog lovers, but few of us are dog experts,” USPS warned. “It’s not just about bad or aggressive dogs — it’s about unpredictable moments.”
For dog owners looking to anticipate their carrier’s arrival, USPS recommends signing up for Informed Delivery, a free service that lets customers preview incoming mail digitally on a computer, tablet, or mobile device. More information is available at informeddelivery.usps.com.
The consequences of a dog attack go beyond injury. Dog owners can be held financially liable for medical costs, lost wages, replacement of uniforms, and other damages incurred by the injured employee. Jonah Helfrich, a letter carrier from Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, described being bitten on the wrist by a dog that charged through a door, requiring medical attention. “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,” Helfrich said.
Postal workers are trained to mitigate threats. They are taught to make non-threatening sounds to alert dogs, never to startle or assume safety, and to avoid feeding or petting dogs. If approached by an aggressive dog, carriers are trained to use their satchels for protection and can use dog repellent if necessary. USPS also uses technology like handheld scanners with dog-alert features and sorting warning cards to identify dog-related hazards on delivery routes.
If a mail carrier feels unsafe, mail delivery to that location may be suspended, requiring residents to retrieve their mail from the local post office. If conditions do not improve, residents may need to rent a P.O. box. In cases where the USPS cannot notify residents of a delivery suspension, residents must reach out to their post office to arrange mail retrieval.
The campaign also highlighted dog bite statistics. According to USPS data, Los Angeles, California led all cities with 77 dog bite incidents in 2024. Houston (65), Chicago (57), St. Louis (47), and Cincinnati (44) rounded out the top five. In total, 38 cities were identified as the top 20 locations for dog attacks due to ties in reported incidents. Among states, California again topped the list with 701 reported dog bite incidents, followed by Texas (438), Ohio (350), Illinois (344), and New York (322).
The USPS campaign encourages the public to share information using the hashtag #dogbiteawareness, and to remember that safe delivery depends not only on carrier precautions but on responsible pet ownership.
For localized dog bite statistics or additional information, USPS advises media and residents to contact their local Corporate Communications representative at about.usps.com/newsroom/media-contacts/local.htm.
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