Postmasters ask homeowners to keep dogs restrained during mail delivery times

Postmasters Artie Guenette, Millbury, and Linda C. Saad, Sutton, today called for the cooperation of dog owners in keeping their pets restrained during mail delivery times.

“More than 4.7 million people—most of them children and elderly—are bitten by dogs each year and last year, more than 3,000 letter carriers nationwide were victims,” they said.

“You can help protect your letter carrier, meter reader or newspaper delivery person by making sure your pet is properly restrained or confined,” they said. “Don’t think a fence is the only answer, especially if a letter carrier or delivery person has to enter your yard. Please make sure your pet is properly restrained so we can safely deliver your mail,” they said.

They said the Postal Service is not anti-dog, but pro-responsibility. “If your dog attacks a letter carrier, you can be held liable for all medical expenses and other costs. You can avoid this liability by properly restraining your pet. Help our letter carriers deliver safely for you,” they said.

Guenette and Saad said dog bites are a serious problem. “They cause pain and suffering to our letter carriers and can disrupt mail delivery. Our letter carriers take pride in delivering your mail promptly and efficiently and that means being able to approach your mailbox without interference from your pet,” they said.

They offered following additional suggestions for responsible pet ownership:

• When your letter carrier comes to your home, keep your dog inside, away from the door, in another room or on a leash. Don’t allow your dog to bark, jump up against the door, or bite the mail as it comes through the mail slot; this will only teach your dog to attack the letter carrier.
• If your dog has to be out during mail delivery time, make sure it is restrained and that the length of that restraint does not allow it to reach the path the mail carrier has to take in order to deliver your mail.
• Do not tie your dog near the mail receptacle.
• Do not let your child take mail from the letter carrier in the presence of your dog. Your dog’s instinct is to protect the family.
• Obedience training can teach your dog proper behavior and help you control your dog in any situation.
• Spay or neuter your dog—unneutered dogs are more likely to bite.
• Make sure your dog has had its shots and is licensed.

“Pet owners complying with these suggestions will greatly reduce the threat of our letter carriers being bitten,” they said.