Hawaii news

May 29, 2023

Media Invited to USPS Dog Bite Awareness Week Event

5,300 Mail Carriers Attacked by Dogs Nationwide in 2022; 22 in Hawaii

Postal Carriers defending themselves against dogs.

What:

The U.S. Postal Service will commemorate its annual National Dog Bite Awareness Week by highlighting the danger of dog attacks on mail carriers and sharing dog bite prevention tips.

More than 5,300 Postal Service employees nationwide were attacked by dogs while delivering the mail in 2022. Hawaii ranked 42nd in the nation among all U.S. states in the number of dog attacks on mail carriers, with 22 such incidents.

“The Postal Service takes the safety of our employees as seriously as we take our commitment to delivering America’s mail,” said USPS Safety Manager Rodney Gatchalian. “  We ask that our customers ‘deliver’ for us by being responsible pet owners and making sure that their dogs are secured when our carriers appear at their mailboxes.

“Most people know the approximate time their mail carrier arrives every day. When a carrier approaches your home, dog owners should keep their pets inside the house or behind a fence, keep them away from the door or in another room; or
keep them on a leash.”

Who:

Media are invited to meet up with a USPS mail carrier, the USPS safety manager and a dog owner on a mail delivery route with homes containing dogs. The following will be available for interviews:

  • Kealii Manner, USPS Mililani Mail Carrier - Will deliver mail to homes with dogs and be available to share his experience as a dog attack victim.
  • Rodney Gatchalian, USPS Hawaii Safety Manager - Available to explain how USPS trains its mail carriers to respond to the threat of dog attacks and to provide dog bite prevention tips.

When:

Noon on Thursday, June 1, 2023

RSVP to duke.gonzales@usps.gov

Where:

95-061 Kawau Street
Mililani HI 96789

Background:

Running June 4-10, National Dog Bite Awareness Week is a USPS-sponsored public service campaign that offers safety tips and emphasizes the need for increased owner responsibility in the prevention of dog attacks. Its theme this year is “Even good dogs have bad days.”

Below is a list of the U.S. states with the number of dog attacks of USPS mail carriers during 2022.

U.S. states with the number of dog attacks of USPS mail carriers during 2022.

An extended list of dog bite statistics by city/state and a list of dog bite prevention tips are available at the USPS National Dog Bite Prevention Week page.

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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 167 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; Instagram; Pinterest; Threads and LinkedIn. Subscribe to the USPS YouTube Channel and like us on Facebook. For more information about the Postal Service, visit usps.com and facts.usps.com.

MEDIA ADVISORY

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