What Should Pet Owners Do Before a USPS Worker Delivers the Mail?
Every pet owner receives mail. So, it should not come as a surprise when a USPS letter carrier shows up. However, the fact is that thousands of letter carriers are seriously injured as a result of dog bites and other attacks. A recent study conducted by the USPS found that more than 5,800 postal employees were attacked by dogs in 2020 alone.
Pet owners have a responsibility to letter carriers to take certain precautions before a USPS worker arrives to deliver the mail, including:
Keep dogs away from the door: Pet owners who are expecting a package to be delivered to their door should ensure that their dog is kept in a separate room when the letter carrier arrives. A dog may see a letter carrier’s gesture of handing their owner mail as a threatening gesture. Aggressive dogs may charge past their owners as they open the door and can burst through screen doors or even glass storm doors.
Dogs outside should be properly restrained: Whenever possible, dog owners should bring their pets inside when they know a letter carrier will be arriving. However, for those with dogs who primarily live outside, it is imperative that the dog is properly secured to protect the postal worker. Dogs should always be placed on a leash out of the postal workers’ path.
Don’t rely on electronic fencing: Pet owners are increasingly relying on electronic fencing as an alternative to traditional fences. However, this can cause confusion for USPS workers, who may assume that an un-fenced yard with no visible dog is an animal-free home. Electronic fences do nothing to protect USPS workers from dogs, as they must enter the homeowner’s property to deliver the mail. Thus, dog owners who have electronic fences should still take their dogs inside when they expect a delivery.
Track packages: Dog owners should use delivery tracking to determine when a package is scheduled to arrive. By getting a general idea of when a USPS worker will be delivering a package, pet owners can take the necessary steps to secure their animal as not to put the delivery person at risk of attack.
If you are a USPS worker who was attacked by a dog while on your route, the Chicago USPS dog bite lawyers at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg are here for you. At Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, our personal injury lawyers have over 30 years of experience helping postal workers obtain the compensation they need and deserve after being bit by a dog. To learn more, and to schedule a free consultation, call 1-877-595-4878 today. Because we work on a contingency basis, you will not pay any upfront costs to bring a claim, and we will not charge you for our services unless we can get you the compensation you deserve.
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