Minnesota mail carriers on receiving end of dog attacks

SAINT PAUL, Minn. (KTTC) – The United States Postal Service (USPS) is reminding dog owners to make sure the yard is safe for mail carriers.

This Sunday, June 1, the agency will kick off a campaign called “Secure Your Dog, Keep Deliveries on Track.”

The goal of the month-long program is to decrease potential dangers while carriers are trying to drop letters in the mailbox or on the porch.

According to USPS, there were more than 6,000 cases of employees being attacked by dogs last year nationwide.

“The best way to keep safe from dog attacks is to recognize and promote the responsibility of pet ownership, such as teaching your dog appropriate behavior and commands and not allowing your dog to roam freely. All dogs—regardless of breed, size or age—have the potential to bite,” said Leeann Theriault, USPS employee safety and health awareness manager. “Dog bite attacks on postal employees are preventable. The most important message for our customers to remember during the 2025 USPS National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign is keep your dog secured and away from the carrier as the mail is being delivered. Help ensure the safety of everyone in our communities.”

A 2024 list, obtained Friday by KTTC, showed there were 137 reported dog attacks involving USPS workers in Minnesota.

The most happened in Minneapolis, with 30 cases; followed by Duluth at 11 and Saint Paul at eight.

In southeastern Minnesota, Austin topped the list for the most number of dog-related incidents last year at three. Rochester saw two, with Albert Lea, Kasson, Owatonna, Pine Island, Wabasha, and Zumbrota each experiencing one.

Nationwide, Los Angeles had the most dog attacks involving postal workers last year, with 77 being reported in LA.

According to USPS, when one of its employees suffers an injury, it can cost the dog owner thousands of dollars for things like medical bills, lost wages, and possible legal action.

Mail carriers are trained to observe an area where they know dogs may be present. They are taught to be alert for potentially dangerous conditions and to respect a dog’s territory.

If a dangerous dog issue is not resolved, owners can be required to rent a post office box to receive mail.

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