USPS shares ways to prevent dogs from attacking postal service workers

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The United States Postal Service is asking for dog owners help to prevent attacks on postal workers.

USPS reported more than 5,800 employees were attacked by dogs in 2023, including 113 dog bites or dog attacks in Kentucky.

"Safety is No. 1 for the post office," Hector Hernandez, an expert dog bite trainer, said during a USPS news conference Wednesday morning. "We have to make sure our carriers don't get bitten. I don't think it is common, but we have to be prepared for it."

USPS encourages dog owners to keep dogs inside homes or behind a fence, away from the door or in another room or on a leash. USPS also said pet owners should remind children to not take mail directly from a letter carrier, because a dog could view the carrier as a threat to the child.

"I want the homeowners to realize the letter carriers are not trespassing when they come onto your property, so make sure your dogs are secured," Hernandez said.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, the average cost per insurance claim for a dog bite is $64,555. The owner of the dog could be responsible for medical bills, lost wages, uniform replacement costs and pain and suffering for a USPS employee bitten.