National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign

In 2025, dog attacks on postal workers dropped to just over 5,200 incidents nationwide. While this year-over-year decrease is a step in the right direction, the U.S. Postal Service remains deeply committed to raising awareness about this critical public health and safety issue.

Don’t Turn Your Back On Dog Bite Prevention

The 2026 National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign officially kicks off this June—but safety is a year-round job. Join us in protecting our communities and mail carriers by practicing prevention every single day.

Join the Conversation: Share our safety tips on social media using the hashtag #dogbiteawareness!

During the National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign, dog owners are provided tips for protecting mail carriers while making their rounds:

• If a carrier delivers mail or packages to your front door, place your dog in a separate room and close that door before opening the front door. Some dogs burst through screen doors or plate-glass windows to attack visitors. Dog owners should keep the family pet secured.
• Parents should remind their children and other family members not to take mail directly from carriers in the presence of the family pet, as the dog may view the person handing mail to a family member as a threatening gesture.
• The Postal Service places the safety of its employees as a top priority. If a carrier feels threatened by a dog, or if a dog is loose or unleashed, the owner may be asked to pick up mail at a Post Office until the carrier is assured the pet has been restrained. If a dog is roaming the neighborhood, the pet owner's neighbors also may be asked to pick up their mail at the area’s Post Office.
• Sign up for Informed Delivery. You’ll know when parcels are being delivered in advance of the actual delivery and can take precautions to keep your carrier safe.