A postal delivery worker in Jacksonville, Florida, was caught on camera clinging to the top of her mail truck in a desperate attempt to avoid a loose dog roaming the street.
The video, filmed by local resident Donna Smith, quickly gained traction after being posted online. Smith told Newsweek: “I happened to be in my upstairs bedroom and I heard commotion.
“I decided to record because it was an uncanny sight. I first spotted the postal worker on top of the mailboxes, the mail scattered on the ground below, and then I saw a neighbor’s dog. I inquired on how she got atop the mailboxes and we shared a brief laugh as someone attempted to secure the dog.”
Smith added that she was “definitely surprised at the mail lady’s reaction, but I totally understood as she was not familiar with the dog.”
“I decided to share it to my social media because socially and politically, things have been heavy,” Smith said. “Laughter is good for the spirit and I figured, let’s have something to laugh about if only for a few seconds.”
Newsweek reached out to the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) via email for comment.
Dogs and postal workers
The incident comes amid a broader push by the USPS to highlight the risks their employees face from dogs on their routes. More than 6,000 dog attacks on carriers were reported in 2024, up from around 5,800 the previous year, according to agency data.
There is also geographical disparity in how often postal workers have to face dog incidents while doing their job. For example, in Los Angeles, California 77 incidents with dogs were reported in 2024, compared with 15 in Birmingham, Alabama.
Each June, the USPS runs its National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign, reminding pet owners to secure their animals during delivery times. Officials say simple steps—keeping pets inside, behind a fence, or on a leash—can prevent injuries and ensure uninterrupted service.
“Dog bite attacks on postal employees are preventable,” said Leeann Theriault, USPS employee safety and health awareness manager. “The most important message for our customers to remember during the 2025 campaign is keep your dog secured and away from the carrier as the mail is being delivered.”
This isn’t the first time a dog and postal worker have gained viral attention. Last year people were in stitches at how one mailman said “hi” to a dog on his route every morning, while another mail worker shared the adorable way local dogs greet him on his route.
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