Latest news with #USPSNationalDogBiteAwarenessCampaign
Korea Herald
15-06-2025
- Health
- Korea Herald
U.S. Postal Service Releases Dog Bite National Rankings
National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign starts June 1 WASHINGTON, June 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- 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 crucial information on how dog owners can be good stewards for safe mail delivery and ensure the safety of its employees. The month-long campaign begins on Saturday, June 1. This year's theme is "Secure Your Dog, Keep Deliveries on Track." Spread news of the campaign with the hashtag #dogbiteawareness. "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 Owners Can Help With Safe Mail Delivery Many of us are dog lovers, but few of us are dog experts. Even dogs that have never shown signs of aggression can react in ways their owners don't expect. They can act without warning on their instinct to protect their owners and their owners' property. Dogs may attack not only to defend their territory, but also when they feel startled, anxious or unwell. It's not just about bad or aggressive dogs — it's about unpredictable moments. Most people know the approximate time their letter carrier arrives every day. Securing your dog before the carrier approaches your property will minimize any potentially dangerous interactions. 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. Sign up for USPS Informed Delivery and See the Mail on Your Electronic Device Before It Arrives By using USPS Informed Delivery, a free service, customers can digitally preview incoming mail and packages from a computer, tablet or mobile device. Millions of customers have enrolled since the service was launched in 2017. Sign up at This service can help dog owners anticipate when their carrier will arrive. The Cost of a Dog Attack When a postal employee suffers an injury from a dog attack, it can cost the dog owner thousands of dollars because they could be responsible for medical bills, lost wages, uniform replacement costs, and pain and suffering for the employee. "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, PA, 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 Know How to Deliver Safely Mail carriers are trained to observe an area where they know dogs may be present. They are taught to be alert for potentially dangerous conditions and to respect a dog's territory. Mail carriers are trained to: If a dog attacks, carriers are also trained to stand their ground and protect their body by placing something between them and the dog — such as a mail satchel — and to use dog repellent, if necessary. Mail carriers have tools to alert them to dogs on their routes. A dog alert feature on carriers' handheld scanners can remind them of a possible dog hazard, and dog warning cards must be used during mail sorting to alert carriers to addresses where a dog may interfere with delivery. Mail Delivery Could Be Suspended Because of Unsecured Dog When a carrier feels unsafe, mail service can be stopped. Until the carrier feels safe enough to restart delivery, the mail will have to be picked up at the dog owner's local Post Office. If a carrier feels a house or neighborhood is unsafe to deliver the mail and there is no way to inform residents their mail service has been suspended, the residents would have to contact the supervisor at their local Post Office for more information. The residents would also have to pick up their mail at the Post Office until it is safe to resume delivery. If a dangerous dog issue is not resolved, owners can be required to rent a Post Office box to receive mail. Cities and States With the Most Dog Attacks in 2024 For the 2024 dog attack rankings in your specific city or town, contact your local Corporate Communications representative at These 38 cities comprise the top 20 localities with the greatest number of dog bite incidents: Here are the 10 states with the greatest number of dog bite incidents: Please Note: The United States Postal Service is an independent federal establishment, mandated to be self-financing and to serve every American community through the affordable, reliable and secure delivery of mail and packages to nearly 169 million addresses six and often seven days a week. Overseen by a bipartisan Board of Governors, the Postal Service is implementing a 10-year transformation plan, Delivering for America, to modernize the postal network, restore long-term financial sustainability, dramatically improve service across all mail and shipping categories, and maintain the organization as one of America's most valued and trusted brands. The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
U.S. Postal Service Releases Dog Bite National Rankings
National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign starts June 1 WASHINGTON, June 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- 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 crucial information on how dog owners can be good stewards for safe mail delivery and ensure the safety of its employees. The month-long campaign begins on Saturday, June 1. This year's theme is "Secure Your Dog, Keep Deliveries on Track." Spread news of the campaign with the hashtag #dogbiteawareness. "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 Owners Can Help With Safe Mail Delivery Many of us are dog lovers, but few of us are dog experts. Even dogs that have never shown signs of aggression can react in ways their owners don't expect. They can act without warning on their instinct to protect their owners and their owners' property. Dogs may attack not only to defend their territory, but also when they feel startled, anxious or unwell. It's not just about bad or aggressive dogs — it's about unpredictable moments. Most people know the approximate time their letter carrier arrives every day. Securing your dog before the carrier approaches your property will minimize any potentially dangerous interactions. 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. Sign up for USPS Informed Delivery and See the Mail on Your Electronic Device Before It Arrives By using USPS Informed Delivery, a free service, customers can digitally preview incoming mail and packages from a computer, tablet or mobile device. Millions of customers have enrolled since the service was launched in 2017. Sign up at This service can help dog owners anticipate when their carrier will arrive. The Cost of a Dog Attack When a postal employee suffers an injury from a dog attack, it can cost the dog owner thousands of dollars because they could be responsible for medical bills, lost wages, uniform replacement costs, and pain and suffering for the employee. "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, PA, 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 Know How to Deliver Safely Mail carriers are trained to observe an area where they know dogs may be present. They are taught to be alert for potentially dangerous conditions and to respect a dog's territory. Mail carriers are trained to: Make a non-threatening noise or rattle a fence to alert a dog if entering a yard; Never startle a dog; Keep their eyes on any dog; Never assume a dog will not bite; Never attempt to pet or feed a dog; and Place their foot against an outward swinging door to prevent a dog from escaping. If a dog attacks, carriers are also trained to stand their ground and protect their body by placing something between them and the dog — such as a mail satchel — and to use dog repellent, if necessary. Mail carriers have tools to alert them to dogs on their routes. A dog alert feature on carriers' handheld scanners can remind them of a possible dog hazard, and dog warning cards must be used during mail sorting to alert carriers to addresses where a dog may interfere with delivery. Mail Delivery Could Be Suspended Because of Unsecured Dog When a carrier feels unsafe, mail service can be stopped. Until the carrier feels safe enough to restart delivery, the mail will have to be picked up at the dog owner's local Post Office. If a carrier feels a house or neighborhood is unsafe to deliver the mail and there is no way to inform residents their mail service has been suspended, the residents would have to contact the supervisor at their local Post Office for more information. The residents would also have to pick up their mail at the Post Office until it is safe to resume delivery. If a dangerous dog issue is not resolved, owners can be required to rent a Post Office box to receive mail. Cities and States With the Most Dog Attacks in 2024 For the 2024 dog attack rankings in your specific city or town, contact your local Corporate Communications representative at These 38 cities comprise the top 20 localities with the greatest number of dog bite incidents: 2024 Dog Bite/Dog Incident DataCITY # of DOGBITE/DOGATTACK Top 20cities bynumber 1 LOS ANGELES, California 77 1 2 HOUSTON, Texas 65 2 3 CHICAGO, Illinois 57 3 4 ST. LOUIS, Missouri 47 4 5 CINCINNATI, Ohio 44 5 6 DALLAS, Texas 43 6 7 KANSAS CITY, Missouri 40 7 8 CLEVELAND, Ohio 40 7 9 SAN DIEGO, California 35 8 10 DENVER, Colorado 34 9 11 SAN ANTONIO, Texas 32 10 12 PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania 32 10 13 DETROIT, Michigan 32 10 14 COLUMBUS, Ohio 32 10 15 MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota 30 11 16 INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana 26 12 17 PHOENIX, Arizona 25 13 18 MEMPHIS, Tennessee 25 13 19 OMAHA, Nebraska 24 14 20 LOUISVILLE, Kentucky 24 14 21 ROCHESTER, New York 23 15 22 TOLEDO, Ohio 21 16 23 SACRAMENTO, California 21 16 24 EL PASO, Texas 21 16 25 SAN FRANCISCO, California 20 17 26 OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma 20 17 27 MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin 20 17 28 ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico 20 17 29 STOCKTON, California 18 18 30 OAKLAND, California 18 18 31 YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio 17 19 32 SALT LAKE CITY, Utah 17 19 33 PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania 17 19 34 MIAMI, Florida 17 19 35 DES MOINES, Iowa 17 19 36 ST. PETERSBURG, Florida 15 20 37 FORT WORTH, Texas 15 20 38 BIRMINGHAM, Alabama 15 20 Here are the 10 states with the greatest number of dog bite incidents: 2024 Dog Bite/Dog Incident DataSTATE # of DOGBITE/DOG Top 10States 1 California 701 1 2 Texas 438 2 3 Ohio 350 3 4 Illinois 344 4 5 New York 322 5 6 Pennsylvania 316 6 7 Michigan 231 7 8 Florida 210 8 9 Missouri 207 9 10 North Carolina 169 10 Please Note: The United States Postal Service is an independent federal establishment, mandated to be self-financing and to serve every American community through the affordable, reliable and secure delivery of mail and packages to nearly 169 million addresses six and often seven days a week. Overseen by a bipartisan Board of Governors, the Postal Service is implementing a 10-year transformation plan, Delivering for America, to modernize the postal network, restore long-term financial sustainability, dramatically improve service across all mail and shipping categories, and maintain the organization as one of America's most valued and trusted brands. The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations. For USPS media resources, including broadcast-quality video and audio and photo stills, visit the USPS Newsroom. Follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter; Facebook; Instagram; Pinterest; Threads; and LinkedIn. Subscribe to the USPS YouTube Channel. For more information about the Postal Service, visit and Contact: David P. Coleman(c) View original content: SOURCE U.S. Postal Service Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Yahoo
Mailman hospitalized after being attacked by dog outside CT home
A mailman was taken to the hospital after he was attacked by a dog outside a home in Middletown on Monday. The postal worker suffered bites to several parts of his body during an attack involving a pit bull that was reported at a home on Barbara Road around 4:15 p.m., according to Erik Costa, chief of the Middletown Police Department. When officers responded to the home they found a 47-year-old resident tending to the injured mailman in the front yard, Costa said. The victim, a 48-year-old postal worker who resides in Middletown, suffered bites to his left thigh, left wrist, right forearm, lower abdomen and the back of his head, according to Costa. Police assisted in delivering medical aid to the victim until medics and crews from the Middletown Fire Department arrived and took over, Costa said. The man was taken to Hartford Hospital and treated for his injuries, which were not considered life-threatening. According to Costa, a preliminary investigation found that the victim was delivering mail to the residence when a 5-year-old pit bull forced the storm door open and attacked him. Witnesses reported seeing the events unfold, Costa said. The dog was taken to the Middletown Animal Control shelter where he will be quarantined while the incident is investigated, according to Costa. Anyone with information that could assist in the investigation has been asked to contact Animal Control at 860-638-4030. The attack comes as the U.S. Postal Service is using the month of June to run a national campaign to raise awareness to dog bites involving mail couriers. According to USPS, dog attacks involving mail couriers rose to more than 6,000 incidents last year. '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,' Leeann Theriault, USPS employee safety and health awareness manager, said in a statement. '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.' According to the postal service, even dogs that never show any signs of aggression can be susceptible attacking to defend their territory or if they become startled, anxious or unwell. 'Most people know the approximate time their letter carrier arrives every day,' the postal service wrote. 'Securing your dog before the carrier approaches your property will minimize any potentially dangerous interactions. '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.' According to the postal service, attacks on mail couriers can cost the dog owner thousands of dollars because they could be responsible for medical bills, lost wages, uniform replacement costs and pain and suffering for the employee. '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,' Jonah Helfrich, a letter carrier in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, said in a statement. '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.'
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
USPS lists states with the most dog attacks against mail carriers. Where did Illinois rank?
For decades in TV shows and cartoons, it's been funny when frantic dog attacks their mortal enemy, the mailman. In reality, it can mean medical bills, pain and suffering for the delivery person and thousands of dollars in liability for the dog owner according to the U.S. Postal Service, which released its annual list of national dog bite data in time for the 2025 USPS National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign throughout June. This year's theme: 'Don't let your dog bite the hand that serves you.' Incidents involving dog attacks on U.S. Postal Service employees rose to more than 6,000 cases last year, according to a USPS release. California was by far the most dangerous place for mail carrier legs with 701 attacks reported in 2024, and Texas reported 438. Ohio, with half our population, was No. 3 with 350. Illinois was right behind Ohio, ranking No. 4 with 344. "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," Theriault said. "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." These are the top 10 states for dog attacks in the U.S. for 2024, according to the USPS: California: 701 Texas: 438 Ohio: 350 Illinois: 344 New York: 322 Pennsylvania: 316 Michigan: 231 Florida: 210 Missouri: 207 North Carolina: 169 Any dog, even normally non-aggressive ones, can attack if they feel their turf is being invaded. "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." It's not just the carrier who will be affected, although that's enough. If a postal employee is injured the dog owner may be responsible for medical bills, lost wages, uniform replacement costs and pain and suffering for the carrie, and that can run into the thousands. It can also mean your mail will be delayed, as the USPS prioritizes the safety of its workers and will ask you to come pick it up at a facility until the carrier feels safe returning to your home. If your dog is free to roam about, your neighbors also may have to go pick up their mail at the post office. The USPS has suggestions to start a cease-fire in the eternal dog-carrier war: When it's time for a letter carrier to arrive, keep dogs inside the house or behind a fence, in a different room with the door closed, or on a leash. Dogs can burst through screen doors or plate-glass windows if they feel threatened. Don't let children take mail directly from a mail carrier as the dog may view the carrier as a threat to the child. Sign up for Informed Delivery to get a heads-up on when the mail will arrive (and get photos of your mail before it gets there). USPS workers are trained to be cautious when approaching an area where they know dogs may be present and to respect a dog's territory. Letter carriers are trained to: Make a non-threatening noise or rattle a fence to alert a dog if entering a yard Never startle a dog Keep their eyes on any dog Never assume a dog will not bite Never attempt to pet or feed a dog Place their foot against an outward swinging door to prevent a dog from escaping If a dog attacks, carriers are also trained to stand their ground and protect their body by placing something between them and the dog — such as a mail satchel — and to use dog repellent, if necessary. (This story was updated to add new information.) This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Dog bite attacks against mail carriers rose in 2024, USPS says
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
USPS lists states with the most dog attacks against mail carriers. Where did Florida rank?
For decades in TV shows and cartoons, it's been funny when frantic dog attacks their mortal enemy, the mailman. In reality, it can mean medical bills, pain and suffering for the delivery person and thousands of dollars in liability for the dog owner according to the U.S. Postal Service, which released its annual list of national dog bite data in time for the 2025 USPS National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign throughout June. This year's theme: 'Don't let your dog bite the hand that serves you.' Incidents involving dog attacks on U.S. Postal Service employees rose to more than 6,000 cases last year, according to a USPS release, and Florida was the eighth-highest state in the country for dog bites with 210 incidents. That's more incidents than the 193 reported in 2023, but Florida ranked 7th in the nation that year. California was by far the most dangerous place for mail carrier legs with 701 attacks reported in 2024, and Texas reported 438. Ohio, with half our population, was No. 3 with 350. There were 220 bites reported in Florida in 2022. The worst Florida cities for postal dog bites? Miami, with 17, and St. Petersburg with 15 both made the top 20 cities list. The most dangerous place to deliver mail was Los Angeles, which saw 77 dog bite reports in 2024. "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," Theriault said. "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." We're top dog! Florida is the most dog-friendly state in U.S., study finds These are the top 10 states for dog attacks in the U.S. for 2024, according to the USPS: California: 701 Texas: 438 Ohio: 350 Illinois: 344 New York: 322 Pennsylvania: 316 Michigan: 231 Florida: 210 Missouri: 207 North Carolina: 169 According to data from the USPS, the top cities in Florida for dog bites are: Miami: 17 St. Petersburg: 15 Jacksonville: 10 Tampa: 9 Pensacola: 8 Orlando: 7 Hialeah: 6 Clearwater: 5 Brooksville: 4 Pompano Beach: 4 Pembroke Pines: 4 New Port Richey: 4 Middleburg: 4 Lehigh Acres: 4 Any dog, even normally non-aggressive ones, can attack if they feel their turf is being invaded. "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." It's not just the carrier who will be affected, although that's enough. If a postal employee is injured the dog owner may be responsible for medical bills, lost wages, uniform replacement costs and pain and suffering for the carrie, and that can run into the thousands. It can also mean your mail will be delayed, as the USPS prioritizes the safety of its workers and will ask you to come pick it up at a facility until the carrier feels safe returning to your home. If your dog is free to roam about, your neighbors also may have to go pick up their mail at the post office. The USPS has suggestions to start a cease-fire in the eternal dog-carrier war: When it's time for a letter carrier to arrive, keep dogs inside the house or behind a fence, in a different room with the door closed, or on a leash. Dogs can burst through screen doors or plate-glass windows if they feel threatened. Don't let children take mail directly from a mail carrier as the dog may view the carrier as a threat to the child. Sign up for Informed Delivery to get a heads-up on when the mail will arrive (and get photos of your mail before it gets there). USPS workers are trained to be cautious when approaching an area where they know dogs may be present and to respect a dog's territory. Letter carriers are trained to: Make a non-threatening noise or rattle a fence to alert a dog if entering a yard Never startle a dog Keep their eyes on any dog Never assume a dog will not bite Never attempt to pet or feed a dog Place their foot against an outward swinging door to prevent a dog from escaping If a dog attacks, carriers are also trained to stand their ground and protect their body by placing something between them and the dog — such as a mail satchel — and to use dog repellent, if necessary. (This story was updated to add new information.) This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Dog bite attacks against mail carriers rose in 2024, USPS says
