While snow, rain or night will famously not stop your mail carrier from doing their job, an overexcited or aggressive dog certainly can.
The United States Postal Service is reminding everyone to please secure their pets when the mail is getting delivered, because mail carriers were bitten by dogs a lot in 2025 — especially in Indiana.
June is Dog Bite Awareness Month, and the USPS shared data for the cities and states in which dog bite incidents have occurred when mail carriers are out doing their jobs.
Indianapolis ranked as the 7th city on this list with a reported 35 incidents of mail carriers getting bitten by dogs on the job in 2025. Indiana ranked 10th overall with 159 incidents reported statewide.
USPS shared reminders, tips and information for pet owners as part of their monthlong Dog Bite Awareness campaign that began June 1.
Tips for dog owners to keep their mail carriers safe.
“Even the most predictable pets can act unpredictably when defending territory or feeling startled,” the USPS said in their press release. “Because dogs rely on protective instincts, owners must manage their dogs during delivery times to prevent accidents.”
The USPS recommends these tips:
If a mail carrier doesn’t feel safe, your mail may not be delivered.
If your mail carrier feels unsafe because of a roaming dog, mail service can be temporarily suspended, and you’ll have to pickup your mail at the local post office.
“The Postal Service places the safety of its employees as a top priority,” USPS said. “If a carrier feels threatened by a dog, or if a dog is loose or unleashed, the owner may be asked to pick up mail at a Post Office until the carrier is assured the pet has been restrained.”
If the issue isn’t resolved, pet owners can be required to rent a Post Office Box to receive mail.
Mail carriers receive safety training to avoid dog bites, but they still happen
Mail carriers undergo “extensive safety training” to spot potential canine hazards while on the job due to the regularity of these incidents and they are equipped to try and prevent them.
Mail carriers are advised to:
If a dog attacks, carriers are trained to defend themselves by using their mail satchel as a protective shield and deploy dog repellent if necessary.
USPS also provides carriers with awareness tools, including handheld scanners that feature built-in dog warning alerts and physical warning cards that are placed into mail sorting cases to alert a carrier of a dog at a certain address.
If your dog bites a mail carrier, you are responsible. What’s the law in Indiana?
If your dog attacks a postal worker, the financial responsibility falls on you.
According to the USPS, you could owe thousands of dollars out of pocket to cover their medical care, lost shifts, replacement clothing and emotional distress.
Indiana law (IC 15-20-1-3) finds dog owners liable for all damages when a dog bites a person without provocation, and it specifically mentions mail carriers.
Even if the dog has not previously behaved in a vicious manner or if the owner has no knowledge of prior vicious behavior, the owner is still liable.
On top of state law, there could also be local ordinances depending on where you live, so dog owners should be extra careful when it comes to keeping your mail carrier safe.
Katie Wiseman covers trending news for IndyStar and Midwest Connect. Contact her at klwiseman@indystar.com. Follow her on Bluesky, Twitter and Instagram.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana ranks 10th for mail carrier dog bite incidents. How to prevent them
Reporting by Katie Wiseman, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
