Mail Delivery Can Be Suspended If Dogs Are Not Confined

Letter Carrier Safety Number-One Concern

Elizabeth NJ— To reduce the potential for injury to employees, Postal Officials urge Elizabeth dog owners to confine their dogs during mail delivery hours. Residents should know that mail delivery service may be temporarily withdrawn to a specific address or whole delivery area when animals interfere with the Postal Service carrier’s ability to complete mail delivery.

“Dogs are man’s best friend but they are also very protective. Any dog could perceive a carrier’s presence as a threat to their territory and owner,” said Dennis Allocco, Postmaster of Elizabeth. “We also ask that owners not allow their dogs to roam the neighborhoods off leash because their mail carrier may not feel safe to deliver to your home or the whole block. Mail delivery can and will be suspended when there is a potential for injury to the letter carrier.”

Postal employees suffered 463 dog bites last year with the highest number of incidents (67) occurring in Northern New Jersey, and of those, 7 occurred right here in the Elizabeth area. 

Postmaster Allocco offers the following tips dog owners can implement to help letter carriers deliver safely to their homes:

• When a carrier comes to your home, keep your dog inside, away from the door in another room.
• Don't let your child take mail from the carrier in the presence of your dog. Your dog's instinct is to protect the family.
• Spay or neuter your dog. Neutered dogs are less likely to bite. Statistics from the Humane Society show that dogs that have not been spayed or neutered are up to three times more likely to bite.
• Dogs that receive little attention or handling, or are left tied up for long periods of time frequently turn into biters.
• Obedience training can teach dog’s proper behavior and help owners control their dogs. Never allow your dog to roam off leash; it’s dangerous for the dog and any humans it encounters.