Postmen were attacked by dogs more than 5,800 times in 2023

The U.S. Postal Service is launching a nationwide dog bite awareness campaign after more than 5,800 dog attacks on USPS employees were reported last year.

The campaign, which runs from June 2-9, has the slogan “Don’t let your dog bite the hand that serves you” and offers dog owners information on how they can help keep mail carriers safe. The Postal Service is asking social media users to spread the message using the hashtag #dogbiteawareness.

“Mail carriers face potential dangers every day, and none are as dangerous as encounters with dogs. It only takes one encounter for a mail carrier to potentially become injured,” said Leeann Theriault, USPS director of employee safety and health awareness. “The U.S. Postal Service consistently promotes responsible pet ownership. The National Dog Bite Prevention Campaign is an effort to raise awareness about dog bites to protect our customers, their dogs and mail carriers while delivering the mail.”

In 2023, there were more than 5,800 dog attacks on mail carriers, with Los Angeles topping the list with 65 attacks. The five cities with the most attacks were Houston, Texas, with 56 attacks, Chicago, Illinois, with 48, St. Louis, Missouri, with 46, and Cleveland, Ohio, with 44.