What:

You actually can teach an old dog, or young pup, new tricks. Dogs may not have any concept of personal space, but it’s imperative they understand how to sit or stay as carriers make deliveries to residences and businesses in your neighborhood.

A recent report named California as first in the country for dog bites, with over 675 incidents in 2022. Nationwide, there were more than 5,300 incidents involving dogs and mail carriers last year.

To better understand the potential danger to mail carriers, and even people in your community, the Postal Service is sponsoring our annual National Dog Bite Awareness Week, June 4 – 10.

Please make plans to join us at our Huntington Beach dog bite prevention press event. You will have an opportunity to speak to U.S. Postal Service safety representatives and others to learn how the Postal Service trains employees to avoid dog attacks on their routes. Simple tips for dog owners on how to prevent an incident will also be shared.

This year’s theme is “Even Good Dogs have Bad Days.” Spread the news of the campaign by using the hashtag #dogbiteawareness.

Who:

Lam Le, Postmaster, Huntington Beach
Darrell Jefferies, Vice President, NALC
Cam Tieu, USPS Safety Specialist
Sergio Gutierrez, USPS Safety Squad Lead 

When:

Tues., June 6, 8:30 a.m.

MEDIA RSVP to Kristina.Uppal@usps.gov for entry

Where:

Huntington Beach Post Office
6771 Warner Avenue
Huntington Beach CA 92647

Background:

We love our furry family members, and they provide a lifetime of joy. But even the best-behaved dogs can pose an unfortunate hazard to people they don’t know.

Pet Owners Can Help Support Safe Mail Delivery

Mail carriers know all dogs can bite, even those perceived as nonaggressive. Dogs are generally protective of their turf and dog owners have an important responsibility to control them to ensure safe mail delivery.

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.

When a letter carrier comes to your home, keep dogs:

• Inside the house or behind a fence;
• Away from the door or in another room; or
• On a leash.

Pet owners also should remind children not to take mail directly from a letter carrier as the dog may view the carrier as a threat to the child.

More than 5,300 postal employees were attacked by dogs last year. Many attacks could be avoided if dog owners would take a few extra moments of precaution. The Postal Service participates in National Dog Bite Awareness Week every year to bring awareness to the potential issues faced by postal employees delivering their routes.

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