June 2, 2024
Written by Roy Russell the Grand Prairie, TX Postmaster
On average, nearly 15 mail carriers per day will say, “Yes.”
Last year in Grand Prairie, that number was seven.
Postal Service officials report that in 2023, over 5,300 letter carriers experienced dog bites or dog attacks. With deliveries every day, including Sundays and holidays, carriers continue to experience dog bites in urban, suburban and rural settings.
Dog attacks and bites are 100 percent preventable when dog owners remain vigilant and properly restrain their dogs.
To ensure mail carriers’ safety, dog owners must securely lock their dog in another room until a delivery exchange is done. If a dog is outside, the dog must be leashed away from the mailbox.
When a carrier feels unsafe, mail service could be interrupted, not only for the dog owner, but for the entire neighborhood. When mail service is interrupted, mail must be picked up at the Post Office. Service will not be restored until the dog is properly restrained.
With your help, we can keep our carriers, your neighbors and your dogs safe. Thank you for protecting your pet and our mail carriers as we continue to bring packages and other important correspondence to your door each day.
From The United States Postal Service
The Dallas-Fort Worth region is among the most treacherous in Texas for USPS employees when it comes to dog attacks. In 2023, there were 39 canine attacks on mail carriers in Dallas, while 23 Fort Worth employees suffered bites – putting the cities at No. 2 and No. 4, respectively, in the state for number of attacks.
Incidents involving dog attacks on Postal Service employees rose to more than 5,800 cases nationwide last year
As part of the USPS 2024 National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign, the organization is offering crucial information on how dog owners can be good stewards for safe mail delivery and ensure the safety of our employees.
The campaign begins Sunday, June 2, and runs through Sunday, June 9. This year’s theme is “Don’t let your dog bite the hand that serves you.” Spread the news of the campaign with the hashtag #dogbiteawareness.
Be sure to report any loose dogs in your neighborhood when you see them.
The number of Postal workers bitten “5300” is an updated stat from
” worldanimalfoundation.org/advocate/dog-bite-statistics/”
