Think your job bites? The U.S. Postal Service says 29 carriers in Utah were bitten by dogs last year, an announcement made as part of National Dog Bite Prevention Week.

It says dogs aren’t the problem, it’s the owners who fail to restrain them.

“The dogs are only doing what is instinctive to them, which is protecting their property and family,” said Salt Lake City Postmaster Steve Chaus. “It’s the dog owners who need to step up and restrain their dogs so carriers can safely deliver the mail.”

In 2018, 10 carriers were bitten in Salt Lake City; three in Magna; and two each in Clearfield, Lehi and Payson with others scattered statewide.

Chaus said if a dog is not properly restrained, the postal service may cease delivery to the home of the owner and surrounding houses to protect the carrier.

“Unfortunately, too many dogs are allowed to run unrestrained,” he said. “We take the safety of our employees very seriously. We will not wait until a carrier is attacked before taking preventive action.”

Nationally, the number of postal employees attacked by dogs fell to 5,714 in 2018 — about 500 fewer than in 2017 and more than 1,000 fewer since 2016. Dog bites decreased by three in Utah last year.