Every job has its challenges and risks. However, for Amazon delivery drivers, an unexpected hazard has been realized in the form of dog attacks. Navigating various neighborhoods to deliver packages directly to doorsteps, these drivers have been exposed to unfortunate incidents involving unfriendly dog encounters.

Amazon Delivery Driver Dog Attack

For drivers like Arturo Solozano, a day that begins as routine can quickly devolve into a painful and dangerous situation, as reported in a detailed article by Motherboard. During one of his daily routes, an unsuspecting stray dog latched onto his ankle, pulling him down and causing a painful injury that impacted his physical well-being and hindered his delivery performance as he struggled to continue his route in pain.

But are these isolated events, or is there a persistent issue present? A deeper dive into the experiences of Amazon drivers, as shared on forums and in interviews, paints a picture that demands attention.

Drivers have reported encounters with dogs that range from minor disruptions to violent attacks. The issue is so pervasive that some drivers have been left with life-altering injuries, while others even tragically lost their lives following dog attacks. The article on Motherboard said, “Last year, an Amazon driver was found dead on a customer’s front lawn after being attacked by dogs. Though police did not initially announce a cause of death, they said at the time that he had suffered ‘A tremendous amount of trauma to his body consistent with canine bites.’”

This issue raises a critical question: Are sufficient support and protective measures provided to Amazon delivery drivers to manage and mitigate these incidents effectively? According to drivers like Cecilia Porter and others who have faced similar ordeals, the training provided on dog avoidance, which involves measures like jingling keys and making verbal alerts, falls significantly short when faced with an actual threat from a hostile animal.

In stark contrast, USPS mail carriers are equipped with pepper spray, training on dog behaviors, and more robust mechanisms to alert future delivery personnel about potentially dangerous pets at a location. Such disparity in preparedness for similar occupational risks raises eyebrows and beckons the need for scrutiny and reform.

Amazon asserts that safety is a priority, with spokesperson Simone Griffin highlighting training elements and dog avoidance practices. However, the drivers’ voices who experience the day-to-day realities of the job express a need for stronger, more tangible safeguards and support systems.

While Amazon operates under a model that places a buffer between them and their drivers by employing third-party Delivery Service Partners (DSPs), the conditions and experiences of these drivers cannot be ignored. Given the increasing prevalence and severity of dog attack incidents, their concerns must be met with more than cursory adjustments.

Recommendations for Amazon Delivery Driver Dog Attack 

Here, at Howell, LLP, we advocate for workers’ rights and safety, believing that no individual should be subjected to avoidable risks within their line of duty. From a legal perspective, Amazon and DSPs must re-evaluate their training and safety protocols concerning animal attacks.

1. Notify the Dog Owner and get their contact information
2. Get Medical Treatment and Photograph your Injuries
3. Consider filing a report with Animal Control (Like Los Angeles Animal Services)
4. Contact a Lawyer – We handle cases like this.

Considering the surge in dog attack incidents involving delivery drivers, specific steps could be pivotal in curbing this issue:

• Enhanced Training: Augmenting the training protocols ensures drivers are adequately equipped with knowledge and strategies to mitigate and respond to dog attacks.
• Providing Defensive Tools: Analyzing the legal frameworks within various jurisdictions and, where permissible, providing drivers with defensive tools, such as safe dog repellents.
• Tech-Integrated Solutions: Employing technology, such as apps or devices, to warn drivers of reported dangerous animals in their delivery zones.
• Medical and Psychological Support: Establishing support systems to aid drivers who have encountered traumatic incidents during their routes
• Legal Recourse: Ensuring drivers know their legal rights and avenues for compensation following an incident and securing a commitment from employers to support them through legal processes if required.
• Engaging with the Community: Running awareness campaigns to educate the community about securing their pets and the dangers to delivery personnel.
• Revisiting Policies: Reassessing internal policies to ensure drivers are not penalized or pressured to continue their deliveries when feeling unsafe or after experiencing an attack.

In our steadfast commitment to ensuring worker safety and justice, Howell, LLP lends its support to anyone navigating the aftermath of workplace incidents and injuries. Employers, including giant entities like Amazon and its DSPs, should remain scrutinized and be compelled to uplift their safety standards, safeguarding their employees from avoidable perils.

Every worker has the right to a safe working environment and to be adequately equipped to manage the risks inherent in their duties. When such conditions are not met, legal channels must be pursued to rectify and safeguard the well-being of the workforce, now and in the future. If you have been injured and seek compensation, schedule a free consultation with our firm.