This past week, the Longmont Times-Call in Colorado published a story about a local postal carrier, trained by the U.S. Postal Service in defensive techniques that include wielding a can of pepper spray or mail satchel at a dangerous dog.

According to Longmont’s postmaster, customers who fail to restrain their dogs can lose their service or even cost service for an entire neighborhood block.

Mail carriers are most concerned about dog bites, which can lead to lost work time for carriers. Nationally, 3,149 mail carriers suffered bites in 2007, and each bite costs the postal service an average of $2,000 in lost work time and medical bills.

Most of the time, owners of dogs who threaten or attack mail carriers are first issued a warning that the dog must be restrained while the carrier is delivering mail. In the event of a second offense, the postal service requires that the mailbox be moved away from the house and dog to continue service. A third offense can result in a complete withdrawal of mail delivery to the home, plus if the dog is loose on the block, neighbors also may lose service. 

Sometimes even the most docile dog will snap or lunge at a mail carrier, not out of malice but out of protection. So give mail carriers a break, and keep your pooch secured and out of the way of mail carriers.

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