Dog Bites on Long Island Mail Workers Surge

A Long Island postal worker faced over 80 dog bites in the previous year, according to new findings from the US Postal Service. This alarming statistic places New York as the leader in dog-related incidents involving mail carriers.

Post offices in Nassau and Suffolk counties reported a staggering 83 incidence of dog attacks, making up more than 25% of the 322 reported dog bites statewide in 2024. That’s a significant number, especially when you consider the state as a whole.

It’s interesting—Long Island’s stats are more than three times higher than those in Rochester, which is another key city in New York.

In fact, Nassau County had 43 reported attacks, while Suffolk County accounted for 40. Just looking at locations, Hempstead, Bayshore, and Amityville had four bites each last year, which is noteworthy given the almost 60 communities across Long Island.

Diana Villatro, a 57-year-old mail carrier from Franklin Square, shared her daily experiences, noting that she encounters about 30 dogs every day on her route in Hicksville. She has her own story, having been bitten by a Doberman a long time ago. The injury required stitches and a series of rabies shots, leaving her understandably shaken.

New York City, for comparison, reported just 54 dog bites last year, a relatively small figure next to the numbers from Long Island. Even in a bustling area, it seems postal workers are facing significant challenges.

Villatro mentioned the palpable tension while working: “You’re always afraid you’ll get a little,” she admitted, revealing how fear can shadow daily tasks for mail carriers.

The Postal Service has launched its annual Dog Biting Awareness Campaign to raise awareness about this ongoing issue. This initiative emphasizes the importance of keeping pets restrained during deliveries, encouraging pet owners to ensure their dogs are secure within homes or yards when mail is being delivered.

Furthermore, the Postal Service has long-standing safety measures, such as prohibiting mail carriers from wearing headphones and the use of non-lethal dog repellents. It all comes down to safety. After all, as Annette Damato, a postal officer in Hicksville, remarked, “Even if the owner says they won’t bite, you never know what the dog is thinking.”

Ultimately, the goal is straightforward: to ensure that postal workers can perform their jobs safely even in challenging environments.