‘Terrifying.’ Tacoma leads state in dog-bite incidents against postal workers
Tacoma is a leader in Washington when it comes to dog attacks against mail carriers, the U.S. Postal Service recently announced.
With 13 incidents reported in 2023, local postal workers bore the brunt of the bites among the state’s five largest cities. Tacoma saw an increase compared with the prior year, during which it logged 10 occurrences.
June 2–9 is “National Dog Bite Awareness Week,” an annual campaign sponsored by the Postal Service. The organization marked the occasion Tuesday afternoon at the Evergreen Station Post Office in Tacoma, 4001 S. Pine St.
City carrier Siegfried Malang revealed during the news event that he’s had to act fast to fend off a canine attack. He has deployed spray repellent to avoid being bitten, a route of last resort.
Such experiences are “terrifying” for mail carriers, and they can also come with consequences for the pet owner.
“What we do is [if] we feel that we are being threatened by the dog, we will skip that house and go to the next,” Malang said.
Tacoma isn’t alone. The postal service reported of an overall spike in dog attacks against mail carriers nationwide last year with more than 5,800 occurrences, marking a spike of roughly 530 incidents compared with 2022, according to a USPS news release.
Tacoma ranked No. 25 out of the top 25 U.S. cities for reported mail-carrier dog bites, per the release. It tied with five other municipalities, including Fresno and Saint Paul.
Seattle, meanwhile, counted 11 dog-bite incidents in 2023 and placed 27th in the nation for such threats. Los Angeles came in first with 65 incidents.
Malang encourages dog owners to keep their pups secured during mail delivery, either inside the home, behind a fence or on a leash. Even friendly pets can become incensed if they feel the need to protect their owner.
Mail carriers can combat an attack using various means. Malang demonstrated how one method is to place a large USPS satchel between the worker and dog. Employees might also try to distract the animal by making noise, such as by rattling their keys.
If all else fails, then it might be time to use the dog spray.
Letter carriers receive training on how to best stay alert wherever hounds may roam during their mail routes. Dog bites aren’t fun for anyone, but they can also be costly.
USPS noted that $64,555 is the average cost for a dog-bite insurance claim. The pet owner could be liable for an injured worker’s missed pay, medical bills and more.
Lax dog owners get three written warnings before their letter service may be suspended, Malang explained. After that, they’ll have to go to the post office themselves to retrieve mail. This could also pause the entire neighborhood’s service until the rowdy dog is adequately restrained, according to the USPS news release.
Washington district manager Trent McNeal said in the release that dog owners should take the proper precautions: “The best way to keep everyone safe from dog bites is to recognize and promote responsible pet ownership.”
This story was originally published June 5, 2024 at 1:14 PM.
