YOUNGSTOWN — The U.S. Postal Service has suspended delivery to Auburndale Avenue after a loose dog attacked a postal carrier, according to USPS spokeswoman Naddia Dhalai.

“The safety of our delivery employees and the aim to provide great customer service are both paramount to who we are as an organization,” Dhalai said.

She said that local USPS management has been working with the dog’s owner and that delivery will resume “when it is safe for the letter carrier.”

Auburndale Avenue runs east to west in three sections from Hillman Street to Market Street, Market Street to Southern Boulevard west of the railroad tracks and Southern Boulevard east of the tracks to South Avenue on the city’s South Side. Dhalai did not specify if the whole length of the street is without mail service or just a certain section.

Dhalai said that aggressive and unrestrained dogs are a “serious issue” and that USPS requests all customers keep their dogs restrained during normal mail delivery hours.

“Most people know the approximate time their letter carrier arrives every day and having their dog secured as the carrier approaches their property for delivery will minimize any dog carrier interactions,” she said.

USPS’s website lists “dog on the premises” as one of five reasons mail may not be delivered, saying “delivery service may be suspended when there is an immediate threat (including, but not limited to, threats due to loose animals) to the delivery employee, mail security, or postal property.”

It goes on to say service will be restored when the postal service is “confident the animal is no longer a threat” and that loose dogs can affect mail delivery for multiple addresses or an entire neighborhood.

Those who have had their service suspended should be notified quickly.

Mail also may not be delivered in the case of a blocked mailbox, hazardous conditions or a natural disaster, an overflowing mailbox, or travel obstructions, according to USPS.

She said USPS regrets any inconvenience experienced by its customers. Customers with concerns can email USPS at https://usps.force.com/emailus/s/ or find USPS on Facebook or Twitter.