SOLVAY, N.Y. — New York State was ranked as the fifth state with the most dog bite incidents in 2024 with 322. That year, Syracuse had six mail carriers bitten by dogs on their mail trail. That information is according to the United States Post Office.
One local mail carrier, Bob Delorenzo, has worked in the industry for nearly 18 years. Over his time, he said he has been bitten twice by dogs on his route. As a result, he is now better prepared.
Lorenzo keeps items with him to keep him safe. This includes a dog horn, dog spray and even his mailbag to use as a barrier between him and the dog. Along with those, he also has tips for himself and other mail carriers to stay safe.
He advises that mail carriers be aware of their surroundings. He also said you should not make eye contact with dogs.
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The dog breed, size and color don’t matter when it comes to attacks on the job. It could be any dog. A way to tell if a dog could attack you is if their fur stands up or if they look skittish.
Additionally, mail carriers are trained to:
- Make a non-threatening noise or rattle a fence to alert a dog if entering a yard;
- Never startle a dog;
- Keep their eyes on any dog;
- Never assume a dog will not bite;
- Never attempt to pet or feed a dog; and
- Place their foot against an outward swinging door to prevent a dog from escaping.
For homeowners, if your dog bites or attacks a mail carrier, the post office can suspend your delivery services and move your mailbox to the end of the driveway. To avoid this, Lorenzo’s advice is to try to keep your dog inside during the time your mail carrier comes by.
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