Posted on 06/02/2024 11:59:00 AM PDT by george76
There were 5,800 mail carriers attacked by dogs last year — about 500 more hair-raising incidents than in 2022, according to the latest rankings from the United States Postal Service.
“Letter carriers are exposed to potential hazards every day, none more prevalent than a canine encounter,” said Leeann Theriault, USPS manager of employee safety and health awareness. “All it takes is one interaction for a letter carrier to possibly suffer an injury.”
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New York ranked 6th in most dog attacks on mail carriers ...
As in 2022, California topped the list of states with the most dog bites. .
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The USPS released the national rankings ahead of its “National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign,”
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
COVID made getting socialization for young dogs almost impossible.
A few years ago I saw our mailman get between two dogs and had to stop delivering mail that day. He was 2 houses away from us, so we didn’t get that mail until the next day. One of the dogs belonged to that neighbor who was just out in her own yard (invisible fence), and the other dog I’ve never seen before, but came running down the street and was chasing the mail truck.
A fight ensued, and he was bit, probably by both dogs. That neighbor’s dog had to be quarantined for a week, but it wasn’t her fault. I don’t know if the other was a stray, or lived somewhere else in our neighborhood, but I never learned what happened to that dog.
Our guy is the nicest man, and we learned from him to bring dog bone snacks with us on our walks in case we come across any unruly dogs.
“My baby would never hurt anybody!!!!!”
My dad was a letter carrier back in the 80s for 8 years......he had some stories. 😏
Walking quickly and purposefully sets off dogs, uniform or not.
Mailmen can’t take the individual time it takes with each dog, everyday, to keep them calm.
Yup. How many times have I heard that excuse from dog owners?
I had a dog on my route who would bite holes in my tire. My tire repair guy ask me how I kept getting holes in the sidewalls of my tires. I calmly said a dog. Better the tire than me! Needless to say, this house only got pkgs when someone was home.
I guess the mailman isn’t allowed to carry a cattle prod or a smaller version of it?
Back in the ‘40s I would occasionally walk along with our Mailman Harry for the better part of Saturdays while he delivered the mail on his route. I was maybe 7 or 8. Learned a lot from him including how to deal with dogs. He was never bitten or attacked. All the dogs loved him. He carried dog treats in his mail pouch and they all knew it. In todays world we no longer have time for the little things.
my mailman, who I’ve had for about six years, carries dog treats, as did my prior one of 26 years. I would think a lot of them do, cheap insurance.
What happened to your carrier’s substitute if he didn’t carry treats?
Did the dogs have an amnesty policy?
Never knew Harry to take a sick day. Never encountered a substitute - but I would imagine Harry would have clued him in.
My Wife walked a route for 32 years.
She was bit twice in her time with Post Office.
If a dog acted aggressive, she would stop the mail delivery. If it was a dog running around a neighborhood being aggressive, she would call animal control. They would have someone out immediately.
I don’t trust invisible fences.
Boy, do I have some stories to tell. I know where I can go and where I can’t. Any customer with a vicious dog has to come to the post office to pick up packages.
Funny, we just took our walk, and spoke with the neighbor. The mailman threw her a dog biscuit that day, as he often does, and she stayed in her area, but the other dog ran for the treat, and that’s when the fighting started. The other dog, who I learned is THAT SAME DOG that is always on the loose and rummages through garbage the night before the waste company comes to pick it up. Doesn’t live in our neighborhood but very close by. Wanders everywhere and is a nuisance. Apparently the owners have received warnings and citations multiple times.
My neighbor’s dog didn’t have to be quarantined after all. I had just assumed it because I didn’t see her outside for a few days. So our mailman was treated for an infection, but protected the neighbor dog.
As for invisible fences, it all depends on how often the owner has their dog wear that collar, and if the battery is still charged. At a different neighbor’s house, there’s a pit bull mix. I don’t ever want to tangle with that dog. He’s the real reason we bring bones, and we hope that throwing one away from us will keep him beyond his allowed space. The owners are ok, but I’m sure they understand that they are responsible for anything that happens because of their dog.
Mail carrier tried to run backwards and fell. I guess he ripped his uniform at that point. He scrambled back to his truck and booked it out of there.
He was at least a full twelve feet away from her at all times.
Postmaster said, "Sorry to have bothered you."
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