Los Angeles leads nation in dog attacks on USPS workers, new data shows

With dog attacks on postal workers climbing to more than 6,000 cases in the past year, the U.S. Postal Service is launching its annual National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign beginning June 1.

According to USPS data, Los Angeles recorded 77 dog attacks on postal workers in 2024, the highest number of any city in the country.

Houston followed with 65 incidents, and Chicago ranked third with 57.

Other California cities also made the top 20 list, including San Diego, Sacramento, San Francisco, Stockton, and Oakland.

Nationwide, California led all states with 701 dog bite incidents, Texas ranked second, while Ohio came in third.

This year’s campaign, themed “Secure Your Dog, Keep Deliveries on Track,” urges pet owners to take responsibility for keeping dogs properly restrained during mail delivery.

The initiative runs throughout June and uses the hashtag #dogbiteawareness to spread awareness across social media.

“The best way to keep safe from dog attacks is to recognize and promote the responsibility of pet ownership,” Leeann Theriault, USPS employee safety and health awareness manager, said in a statement. “All dogs — regardless of breed, size, or age — have the potential to bite.”

The USPS emphasizes that many attacks occur unexpectedly, even from dogs that have no history of aggression. Mail carriers are trained to stay vigilant in neighborhoods where dogs are present and to follow safety protocols, such as never startling a dog and using items like mail satchels to create a barrier if threatened.

The Postal Service advises customers to secure their dogs in a separate room or area away from the door during mail delivery. Pet owners should also avoid opening the door while the carrier is present and ensure children do not retrieve mail in the presence of a pet.

In addition to physical harm, dog attacks on USPS workers can lead to costly repercussions for dog owners, including medical expenses, lost wages, and uniform replacement costs.

If a mail carrier feels unsafe, mail delivery to the residence can be suspended until the dog is properly secured. Residents would then need to retrieve their mail from their local Post Office. In some cases, the USPS may require pet owners to rent a P.O. box to resume service.

As part of its annual campaign, the USPS urges pet owners to take preventive action. “The most important message for our customers to remember is to keep your dog secured and away from the carrier as the mail is being delivered,” Theriault said. “Help ensure the safety of everyone in our communities.”