It’s both a trope and a truth: postal workers are at risk for dog attacks on their mail routes. In 2023, the United States Postal Service (USPS) reported more than 5,800 dog bite incidents, an increase from 2022.
Which cities report the most dog attacks on postal workers?
The cities with the most reported dog bite incidents in 2023 were Los Angeles (65 bites), Houston (56 bites), and Chicago (48 bites).
Three other cities – St. Louis, Cleveland, and San Diego – reported between 40 and 49 incidents in 2023.
The bottom four of the top 30 cities with the most reported dog bites had 19 incidents each: Long Beach, California; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Portland, Oregon; and Detroit.
Which states report the most dog attacks on postal workers?
California mail people reported the most bites, with 727 reported attacks in 2023, a 7.7% increase from 2022.
Texas had the second-highest number of bites (411), and Ohio was third (359).
The biggest percent increase in dog bites from 2022 to 2023 was in Illinois, at 29.0%. North Carolina had the second-highest incident rate increase at 26.7%. Three of the top ten states for dog bites in 2022 saw fewer attacks in 2023: New York (down 7.8%), Michigan (down 11.2%), and Florida (12.3%).
What consequences can a pet owner face if their dog attacks a mail carrier?
Dog owners may be financially responsible for damages after a dog attack, including medical bills, lost wages, and uniform replacement costs. The USPS, citing the Insurance Information Institute, says that an average insurance claim for a dog bite is $64,555.
The USPS may also stop mail service if mail carriers feel unsafe, requiring owners to rent a Post Office (P.O.) box at their own expense and pick up their mail themselves.
To help prevent mail carrier dog attacks, the USPS recommends leashing dogs and keeping them away from the door — inside the house or behind a fence.
In 2021, 49 million households reported owning dogs as pets.
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