SPRINGFIELD, Ohio -- Dog attacks on postal workers are on the rise in Springfield. Since October, seven mail carriers have been attacked and bitten by dogs.

Thursday was dog bite awareness day in Springfield and postal officials there are hoping the community can address this serious problem. The latest bite occurred in May after a pit bull attacked a mail carrier. He was bitten on the arm.

Signs placed in front of the main post office tell the stories of the 21 carriers who have been bitten by dogs in Springfield since 2004.

With help from the Clark County Humane Society, postal officials are hoping to raise awareness. They are urging residents to put their dogs on a leash and keep them chained in their yards. If dogs are kept behind a fence, people need to make sure the gate is shut and locked.

Officials saif if a mail carrier feels threatened by a dog, delivery of mail to that address could be suspended if the problem persists.