These cities and states were hotspots for dog attacks on mail workers, USPS says

WASHINGTON — It’s one of the oldest clichés in the book: dogs hate mail carriers. For thousands of postal workers, dog attacks are no joke.

The United States Postal Service has shared the cities and states where mail carriers suffered the most dog bite incidents as Dog Bite Awareness month kicks off next week.  USPS workers reported more than 5,200 dog attacks last year, with Los Angeles topping the list of cities where carriers faced the most incidents.

The agency is using the data — alongside a renewed push for safety guidance — to urge dog owners into taking the threat more seriously.

“Every single day, our postal employees serve their communities across dynamic, fast-changing environments,” Leeann Theriault, employee safety and health awareness manager, said in a news release. “Preventing dog-related incidents requires constant, shared vigilance. This campaign reinforces a vital truth: Animal behaviors can change in an instant, but proactive awareness from both our carriers and the customers we serve can stop painful injuries before they ever happen.”

The ask from USPS is simple: secure your dog before the mail arrives. That means keeping pets in a separate, closed room before opening the door for a delivery, making sure the door is fully shut when stepping outside, and keeping dogs on a leash during delivery hours.

USPS also cautions dog owners to never accept mail directly from a carrier in the presence of their dog and to teach children to avoid doing so as dogs can misinterpret the interaction as a threat. 

The stakes go beyond a single bite. Carriers who feel unsafe can suspend delivery to a home on the spot. If the situation isn’t resolved, the owner may be left picking up their own mail at a local post office.

The mail service warned it may not just be your correspondence affected, but your wallet too. 

Dog attacks on postal workers can result in owners paying thousands for medical bill, lost shifts, replacement clothing and even emotional distress, USPS said.

“I was walking my route when a dog jumped the fence and lunged at me,” San Antonio Letter Carrier Fiona Hudson said in a statement. “I used my dog repellent and mail bag to defend myself, but it was too late. I was rushed to the hospital bleeding, with a broken bone, a severe arm sprain and was barely able to move. While my physical wounds have healed, the trauma of that vicious attack stays with me. Customers must take responsibility and secure their dogs during delivery hours.”

According to USPS, these cities have most dog attack incidents reported. 

Los Angeles leads the pack with a commanding score of 70, nearly 20 points ahead of second-place Dallas. Here’s how 33 major U.S. cities stack up.

1. Los Angeles — 70
2. Dallas — 50
3. Denver — 45
4. Houston — 44
5. Chicago — 43
6. St. Louis — 40
7. Indianapolis — 35
8. San Diego — 32
9. San Antonio — 31
10. Cleveland; Kansas City, MO — 30
11. Cincinnati; Minneapolis — 29
12. Oakland, CA; Phoenix — 27
13. Columbus, OH — 26
14. Detroit — 24
15. Louisville, KY — 23
16. Memphis, TN; Oklahoma City; Pittsburgh; Sacramento, CA — 21
17. Fort Worth, TX; Long Beach, CA; Milwaukee; Philadelphia; Portland, OR — 20
18. Dayton, OH; Jacksonville, FL — 19
19. Omaha, NE — 17
20. Miami; Rochester, NY; San Francisco — 16

1. California — 673
2. Texas — 358
3. Ohio — 287
4. New York — 269
5. Pennsylvania — 267
6. Illinois — 260
7. Florida — 183
8. Missouri — 182
9. Michigan — 174
10. Indiana — 159