Delivery workers and the dangers of dogs they encounter

At one time, only postal carriers and pizza delivery drivers brought deliveries to our homes. Now UPS, Fed Ex, Door Dash, Instacart and multiple other services deliver everything, from groceries to office supplies to clothing to unassembled furniture. While these services make our lives easier, delivery workers may face dangerous situations involving the dogs they encounter.

Risks to delivery workers

Delivery drivers going about their work typically encounter dogs barking or snarling from inside the homes they visit, but some dogs may be more territorial about protecting their owners and the property where they live. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association:

• There are 88 million pet dogs in the U.S.
• An estimated 4.5 million dog bites occur every year nationwide.
• 800,000 or 20% of these bites require medical treatment.
• The U.S. mail service reported 6,000 employee attacks by dogs in 2020.

Attacks by dogs can severely injure victims and possibly result in life-long harm.

Economic impact

Homeowners and residents may be responsible for their dog’s behavior.  Homeowners and renters who have dogs should obtain insurance in order to protect themselves in the event that their pets cause injuries to others.  According to the Insurance Information Institute, there were 17,597 dog bite claims in 2022 costing the system $1.136 billion, for an average cost per claim of $64,555. Costs of dog bite claims increased 32% from 2021 and have risen 132% over the last ten years.

Injuries from dog bites and attacks

Common injuries from dog bites and attacks may include:

• Lacerations and scars
• Rabies
• Emotional trauma
• Fractures or head injuries from falls

Those injured due to dogs may be able to hold the dog owner responsible and seek to obtain fair compensation for the injuries caused.