Dog Attacks Among USPS Employees Up Statewide

Nineteen US Postal Service employees were attacked by dogs in 2020 statewide, a 58% increase from the previous year’s total of 12.

One of the attacks occurred in Hilo.

More than 5,800 USPS employees across the nation were attacked by dogs last year. To highlight the enormity of this serious issue, USPS is providing the public with information on the dos and don’ts of responsible dog ownership as part of its annual National Dog Bite Awareness Week public service campaign.

“Dogs are instinctive animals that may act aggressively to protect their turf,” said USPS Safety Manager Richard Anderson. “That why’s it’s so important for us to share this dog bite prevention information with our customers.”

Below are the communities in which USPS Hawai‘i employees were attacked by dogs. Honolulu, with five dog bites, is tied with 47 other cities for the 33rd-highest total of incidents. Houston leads the nation, with 73 USPS-related dog bite incidents.

“Hawaii’s total numbers may not be very high compared to mainland cities and states,” Anderson said. “But every single incident is traumatic for our employees, as well as for the customers whose dogs do the attacking. We don’t want anyone to have to deal with the physical and emotional pain or the expense and guilt of a preventable dog attack on a postal employee.”

The best way to keep USPS employees, and everyone, safe from dog bites is to recognize and promote responsible pet ownership. To avoid future attacks, USPS advises public to secure their dogs prior to the letter carrier’s arrival.

When the letter carrier arrives, the public is asked to keep their pet, inside the house or behind a fence, away from the door or on a leash.

Remind children not to take mail directly from a letter carrier as the family dog may view the carrier as a threat.

USPS suggests customers sign up for Informed Delivery as it gives people a digital preview of the mail and packages that are scheduled to be delivered so that they can take precautions and secure their dog when packages are delivered to the door. Click here to sign up.