If You See a Paw Print on a Maine Mailbox, Don’t Touch It!

You shouldn’t mess with any mailboxes in Maine, but if you see one sporting different-colored paw prints, it’s best to leave it alone!

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It’s no secret that mail carriers face the risk of dog bites and attacks while delivering mail every day—it’s a classic cartoon trope.

So, what exactly is the meaning behind these paw prints on mailboxes in our Pine Tree State?

According to USPS and the North Carolina Medical Society, the Postal Service introduced the Dog Paw program to help protect letter carriers from aggressive dogs.

The program used color-coded stickers—orange to indicate a dog at the home and yellow to warn of a dog at the next house—so carriers could be more prepared.

Customers also received a postcard explaining the program, which had already helped reduce dog bite incidents in other areas.

More than 5,800 postal employees were attacked by dogs in 2023, marking an increase from the previous year.

USPS prioritizes employee safety and may require mail pickup at a Post Office if a dog poses a threat to carriers.

Even though the Paw Program stickers are no longer in use, you might still see them on mailboxes—and it’s a good idea to leave them there.

These stickers still serve as a helpful reminder that a dog may be nearby, even if the Postal Service now relies on high-tech scanners for real-time safety alerts. While the new system is more advanced, the old stickers can still offer an extra layer of caution for anyone approaching a home.

There you have it! The USPS used these stickers to raise awareness for their letter carriers, indicating that dogs were present at those homes and helped to keep everyone safe.

Have you ever heard of this USPS program before? What are your thoughts on it? We’d love to hear from you! Feel free to join the conversation by messaging us on the app.

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