A recent dog attack in Cortez sent a letter carrier to the hospital and has the U.S. Postal Service urging pet owners to be responsible and prevent dog bites.
The attack happened on Tuesday, August 5, on Edith Street.
According to the police report, the letter carrier was approaching the mailbox when the homeowner opened the front door, allowing several dogs to run out. The animal in question, a pit bull mix, then jumped on the front gate, which opened it, and charged at the carrier. When police responded, the carrier was reportedly kneeling in the driveway with blood on their hands and face and was taken to Southwest Memorial Hospital for treatment. The dog, who was reportedly current on its rabies vaccinations, was taken to the city animal shelter for a 10-day impoundment.
The owner was charged with two counts of possession of a dangerous animal. One charge was reportedly for a previous attack on a paramedic by the same dog on July 31.
Officials with the Cortez Post Office said they cannot speak to the media and referred inquiries to USPS strategic communications specialist James Boxrud in Denver.
In an email to KSJD, Boxrud said, “The Postal Service takes the safety of our employees very seriously. We have an entire month [June] devoted to dog bite prevention where we highlight the importance of customer responsibility and awareness.”
According to the USPS website, 6,088 postal employees were attacked by dogs in 2024, an increase over the previous year.
In an article on the website, homeowners are told that even dogs that aren’t generally aggressive may attack people coming toward their property.
“Even dogs that have never shown signs of aggression can react in ways their owners don’t expect,” the site says. “They can act without warning on their instinct to protect their owners and their owners’ property. Dogs may attack not only to defend their territory, but also when they feel startled, anxious or unwell. It’s not just about bad or aggressive dogs — it’s about unpredictable moments.”
The Postal Service urges dog owners to keep their animals away from letter carriers.
“Keep your dog in a separate room or area away from the door when the mail carrier comes to your house,” the article states.
“If you go outside, close the door firmly behind you and make sure it is secured so your dog doesn’t slip out or bust through it unexpectedly. If you are outside with your dog while mail is being delivered, make sure your dog is secured away from the mail carrier and on a leash. Never accept the mail from your mail carrier in the presence of your dog.
“Pet owners also should remind children not to take mail directly from a letter carrier because the dog may view the carrier as a threat to the child.”
Mail carriers are trained to behave in a non-threatening way around dogs, being careful not to startle them, keep their eyes on the animals, and never try to pet or feed them.
Homeowners are reminded that if a postal employee is attacked, they can be responsible for paying the costs of the victim’s medical treatment, lost wages, uniform replacement, and pain and suffering. Postal delivery can be stopped in the case of unsecured dogs.
For more information:
https://about.usps.com/what/corporate-social-responsibility/activities/dog-bite-awareness.htm
