Keeping North Dakota Mail Carriers Safe: Tips for Dog Owners

Dog attacks on Postal Service employees rose to over 5,800 cases last year. To tackle this, the USPS 2024 National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign is sharing vital tips on how North Dakota dog owners can ensure safe mail delivery.

Campaign Details

This year’s theme is “Don’t let your dog bite the hand that serves you.”

“Letter carriers face hazards daily, especially from dogs. One encounter can lead to injury,” said Leeann Theriault, USPS Manager, Employee Safety and Health Awareness. “Our goal is to promote responsible pet ownership and keep everyone safe during mail delivery.”

How You Can Help

All dogs can bite, even the friendly ones. Here’s how you can ensure your mail carrier’s safety:

• Secure Your Dog: Know when your carrier arrives and secure your dog beforehand.
• Keep Dogs Away from the Door: Keep dogs inside, behind a fence, or on a leash when the carrier approaches.
• Educate Children: Remind kids not to take mail directly from the carrier because the dog may view the carrier as a threat to the child

Stay Informed with Informed Delivery

Sign up for Informed Delivery at informeddelivery.usps.com to preview your mail and know when it will arrive.

Consequences of a Dog Attack

The average cost for a dog bite insurance claim is $64,555. If a postal worker is bitten, owners could be responsible for medical bills, lost wages, and more.

How Carriers Stay Safe

Carriers are trained to:

• Make noise to alert dogs.
• Keep an eye on dogs.
• Never assume a dog won’t bite.
• Use their satchel or dog repellent if necessary.

“Even friendly dogs can have bad days,” said carrier Tara Snyder. “Make sure your door is secure so your dog can’t push it open.”

Mail Delivery Suspension

If a carrier feels unsafe, mail service can be stopped until it’s safe to resume. Unresolved issues may require owners to rent a P.O. box.

North Dakota Law

In North Dakota, there is no specific statute addressing dog bites, so the courts often apply the “one-bite rule.” This means that a dog owner typically isn’t held liable the first time their dog bites or attacks someone, as it’s assumed the owner didn’t know the dog was dangerous. However, after this initial incident, the owner is expected to consider the dog dangerous, and any subsequent aggressive behavior could be deemed negligent on the owner's part.