Atlantic City, NJ – On Thursday, April 15, 2021, Atlantic City Postmaster Mike Margiotti hosted a spring event to promote dog bite prevention to his entire team and to ensure that our local community understands the importance of safeguarding their mail carriers from a potential dog bite or attack. As the weather becomes more conducive to outdoor play and work, incidents of dog attacks on postal carriers tend to increase. Children and adults tend to rush to the door when they see a mail carrier and the household dog usually follows right behind, leaving the carrier vulnerable to a dog attack.

As the United States Postal Service continues to provide an essential service, we want to make sure our carriers are safe and out of harm’s way while making their appointed rounds. Pet Owners are asked to wait for their carrier to leave the area before opening the door to get their mail or package. Too many dogs have slipped between an owner’s legs while the door is open and have attacked the mail carrier. Dogs should be restrained and/or kept in another room as mail carries make their deliveries.

"The Atlantic City post office employees are outstanding in every aspect considering this very demanding position,” said Atlantic City Postmaster Michael Margiotti. “The Postal Service has always emphasized safe delivery practices. Each member of this team is very conscientious and their dedication to working safely inspires every member of our workforce."

Atlantic City Postmaster Mike Margiotti (left picture above, right) was joined by guest speaker Steven Dash left picture above, left), Executive Director of the Atlantic City Human Society and his sidekick Pete (pictured above, between two gentlemen). Executive Director Steven Dash addressed the Atlantic City Mail Carriers and entire postal staff by reiterating his organization’s efforts to educate the community to be a responsible dog owner.  Dash advised everyone to, “always keep your dog on a leash and not running loose in the neighborhood.”  Dash went on to say, “as a safety conscious community, we must be mindful of our mail carriers who are delivering the mail to their customers every single day.”

Together, along with the New Jersey District’s postal leadership team participated in the event. Executive-In-Charge and New Jersey District Manager Mike Deignan, NJ Safety Manager (A) - Southern Tier Mike Nelson, NJ Safety Specialist - Southern Tier Collette Ryan, Post Office Operations Manager - Group 5 Larry Spera, and their very own postal sidekick, SAM the safety dog (pictured above) was on hand to speak with the entire Atlantic City post office team.  SAM’s name is an acronym for Safety Always Matters. The USPS is proud of its safety record and equally proud of postal employees who daily provide excellent customer service, while safeguarding themselves and the neighborhoods they serve.

###