Postal workers in Arizona face one of the highest risks of dog bites while delivering mail. Being bitten by an aggressive dog can cause serious physical and psychological injuries. This article explores the dangers that postal workers in Arizona face from dog bites, steps being taken to reduce these incidents, and legal recourse for injured postal carriers.
Dangers of Dog Bites for Arizona Postal Workers
According to the United States Postal Service (USPS), over 5,800 postal employees were attacked by dogs across the U.S. in 2021. While not all bites lead to injury, they often cause pain, wounds, bruises, lacerations, infections, and emotional trauma.
Dog bites can inflict crushing injuries, tears, and puncture wounds. The jaws of certain dog breeds like pit bulls, rottweilers, and German shepherds exert pressure of up to 450 pounds per square inch. This force can fracture bones, dislocate joints, or even require amputation. Dog bites that break the skin are prone to infection since their teeth harbor bacteria.
Arizona postal carriers walking door-to-door to deliver mail are vulnerable to dogs that bolt through open gates, jump fences, or break tethers. Loose dogs account for many of the bites on mail carriers. Dogs may also bite through mail slots or when a door is opened.
Steps to Reduce Dog Bite Incidents
To help protect postal employees, the USPS has launched initiatives in Arizona to educate dog owners and reduce bite incidents. These include:
- Annual National Dog Bite Awareness Week to spread information on dog bite prevention.
- Dog bite avoidance training programs for postal carriers.
- Providing carriers with dog repellent spray for defense against attacks.
- Posted reminders for customers to restrain pets during mail delivery hours.
- Suspension of mail delivery to homes with dogs that have displayed aggressive behavior. Service resumes only when the pet is properly restrained.
Postal workers are encouraged to report addresses of loose or aggressive dogs so animal control officers can follow up with pet owners.
Legal Recourse for Injured Postal Workers
Postal employees who are injured by dog bites and attacks can seek compensation through workers’ compensation benefits. They can file a compensation claim with the Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs.
Benefits cover medical treatment costs and partial wage replacement for time missed at work due to injury. However, workers’ compensation does not pay damages for pain and suffering.
For additional remedies, postal carriers can pursue legal action against the dog owner under Arizona’s dog bite statute. Owners can be held liable for negligence if they failed to properly restrain their dog, even if there was no prior evidence of aggression. A dog bite lawyer from Monge & Associates can help injured postal workers recover damages such as medical expenses, lost income, disability, disfigurement, emotional distress, and pain and suffering.
Dog attacks continue to pose an occupational hazard for postal carriers in Arizona. Ongoing efforts to promote responsible dog ownership and restraint, combined with legal consequences for owners, can help reduce these incidents and support the safety of postal workers.
Talk to a dog bite lawyer from Monge and Associates. We have offices in 32 locations and 19 states, including Arizona, Ohio, and Virginia.
Call now for a free consultation on (888) 477-0597.