© Nikos Frazier / Journal & Courier / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
(Ronkonkoma, NY) – Heather Gigliotti has been a mail carrier in Suffolk County for 27 years, but recently, she’s grown increasingly concerned for her safety — due to a rise in dog attacks.
New York ranks among the top five states for dog-related incidents involving postal workers. Gigliotti herself was bitten on the arm by a golden retriever last February when a homeowner opened the door during a delivery. Despite her love for animals—especially dogs—she says the growing number of incidents is deeply troubling.
According to the US Postal Service, there were over 6,000 dog attacks on mail carriers nationwide last year, with 322 of those occurring in New York. Long Island’s many townships account for the highest number of these incidents in the state, prompting the launch of a new safety campaign.
Pet owners are reminded to keep doors closed and dogs secured when mail carriers approach.
