WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y. — "Don’t let your dog bite the hand that serves you:” That’s the motto of the United States Postal Service as it wraps up dog bite prevention week.

USPS says dog attacks on Postal Service employees rose to more than 5,800 cases last year nationwide. New York placed in the top 10 with the most, sitting at number six, with 296. That is down from 2022, which had 321. USPS wants that number as close to zero as possible.

What You Need To Know

  • New York sixth in nation for most dog attacks in 2023 with 296

  • Buffalo made the top 30 list with 20 incidents

  • Route times will likely change as mail carriers take vacation time 

“Here comes a dog, right at us,” said Dean Puchalski, a USPS mail carrier.

A dog named Sadie decided to take herself on a walk after Puchalski dropped off some goodies for her mom. Thankfully, this pup isn’t one he’s worried about. Still, he waits for her to move along.

“There was a dog on the route, which is probably the meanest, and that person would constantly leave the dog out where I'd have to skip the street because I know if I went up there it was attacking and coming up to you,” Puchalski said.

Puchalski has been delivering packages and letters for 20 years.

“I actually love it a lot,” Puchalski smiled.

This is despite Puchalski saying he has been attacked twice.

“As I went to go deliver, the garage door was open about 3 feet, and a big husky came from underneath, and I had my back turned and it took a big chunk out of the leg,” Puchalski recalled.

In the other instance, two dogs went through a glass storm door.

“And a lot of times like, we can prepare for it, but when it happens that quick ..." Puchalski said.

They use their bags or dog spray if necessary. Puchalski is not alone in encounters. In New York, Buffalo made the list of the top 30 locations with the most incidents. It sits at No. 25 with 20 attacks.

“This year in Buffalo, we are already up to seven dog bites,” he said.

With summer approaching, Puchalski has some reminders for homeowners. First, your mail carrier is likely to go on vacation, which means someone else is working the route.

"Mail might be coming at different times of the day, so just be prepared for that,” he said.

Also, if your kids are in charge while you’re at work, set expectations.

“It’s best if the kids are out with the dog, they have it on a leash,” Puchalski suggested.

USPS has a sticker system. It alerts carriers to a friend who might be nearby when delivering. An alert system in their scanners and orange cards also serve as reminders.

Puchalski says if you see any of these alerts, it’s nothing against you or your four-legged friend. It’s to keep them safe and ensure you and your neighbors get mail.

“We just want to enjoy our jobs, not miss time with our family because of something like that,” Puchalski said.

Sadie said hi a couple more times, then took her mom, and even Puchalski, on an adventure to find her.

If you have an invisible fence or are about to get one, please move your mailbox outside of that barrier. There’s a good chance your mail delivery will stop until you do.