What:

On Thursday, June 1, 2023, at 8:00 a.m. at the Grand Rapids Northeast Station, 1765 3 Mile Rd., Grand Rapids, MI 49505, mail carriers will join renowned professional dog trainer Hector Hernandez to demonstrate how to prevent dog bite injuries.

More than 5,300 Postal Service employees were attacked by dogs while delivering the mail last year. Aggressive dog behavior is a common safety concern USPS employees face. To keep its workers safe, the organization is providing important information on how dog owners can be good stewards for safe mail delivery as part of its annual National Dog Bite Awareness Week public service campaign.

The campaign runs Sunday, June 4, through Saturday, June 10

Grand Rapids area mail carriers want to deliver a special message to the community about working together to avoid the cost and pain of dog bites.

Grand Rapids Postmaster Bill Rowe says, “We want to ensure both our employees and customers are safe from the many dog attacks that happen year-round. A professional dog trainer will work with employees and offer our customers tips to prevent dog attacks.”

When:

Thursday, June 1, 2023 at 8:00 a.m.

Where:

Grand Rapids Northeast Station
Bill Rowe, Postmaster
1765 3 Mile Rd
Grand Rapids MI 49505

Who:

Professional Dog Trainer Hector Hernandez
USPS District Manager Don Dombrow, Jr. Michigan 2 District
Grand Rapids Letter Carriers to share their stories

Top 10 Dog Bite States:

State	2021	2022
CA	656	675
TX	368	404
NY	239	321
PA	281	313
OH	359	311
IL	226	245
FL	201	220
MI	244	206
MO	161	166
NC	126	146

Background:

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.

Package delivery on Sunday? Postal officials urge dog owners to restrain their animals on Sundays as well, as more residences now receive deliveries throughout the weekend.

If a dog attacks, carriers are also trained to stand their ground and protect their body by placing something between them and the dog — such as a mail satchel — and to use dog repellent, if necessary.

Lastly, when a carrier feels unsafe, mail service could be halted — not only for the dog owner, but for the entire neighborhood. When mail service is stopped, mail must be picked up at the Post Office. Service will not be restored until the aggressive dog is properly restrained.

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