It’s a fact that dogs and mail carriers don’t often mix, and it’s the source of plenty of good comedy. But all punchlines aside, there’s nothing funny about the 14% increase in dog bites for mail carriers last year.
The U.S. Postal Service has released data that shows this alarming upswing, along with more detail about where such incidents occur.
Why is it happening?
The answer is pretty simple, and it has to do with sheer volume. Online shopping has increased the number of deliveries the typical home receives.
Plus, there are plenty of reasons dogs fear mail carriers: stranger anxiety and territorial behavior being highest on the list.
Bite prevention
In response to this new data, the post office has offered some good ideas to help dog owners do their part to limit bites.
- Don’t leave your dog loose in the front yard at mail time
- Before opening the door for a mail delivery, move your dog to another room
- Never let small children answer the door alone, as dogs can escape or become protective of their small people
And on the delivery side? Some postal workers are getting pretty creative with their solutions.
Further reading: United States Post Office