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ANIMAL WATCH - Last week USPS released its 2024 statistics for dog attacks on Postal employees by states and cities, and California again ranked #1 in both categories. In total, more than 6,000 such incidents occurred, which means this is the number of employees who were disabled from work for at least one day, and usually far more, because the physical injury and the emotional trauma.
Being attacked by a dog of any size is frightening, but considering the increase in aggressive-types of dogs; such as, Pit Bulls, kept in yards without adequate fencing or other physical restraints, carriers are at risk the entire time they are on their routes.
Once again, USPS is advising that a dog attack can cause mail not to be delivered to an entire block or larger area, so it is in the interests of the entire community to assure that all dogs in the community are kept away from the area of any mailbox during daytime hours.
Cities and States With the Most Dog Attacks in 2024
These cities are reported among the top 20 localities with the greatest number of dog bite incidents in 2024 and shows the increase from 2023 (below):
HERE ARE THE TOTALS FOR CITIES IN 2023 (for comparison):
- Los Angeles (65)
- Houston (56)
- Chicago (48)
- St. Louis (46)
- Cleveland (44)
- San Diego (41)
- Dallas (39)
- Cincinnati (38)
- Philadelphia (34)
- Columbus, Ohio (33)
- Kansas City, Mo. (32)
- Indianapolis (30)
- Memphis, Tenn. (29)
- Louisville, Ky. (28)
- Minneapolis (27)
- Albuquerque, N.M. (26)
- San Antonio (26)
- Sacramento, Calif. (26)
- Milwaukee (23)
- Dayton, Ohio (23)
STATE STATISTICS ALSO ON THE RISE
Here is some alarming information on rising dog attacks, including the rise in dog attacks/bites in top 10 states for dog attacks for 2024, according to USPS:
Dog owners can face legal costs for USPS employee injuries
The potential harm by not confining a dog, can include a serious financial bite for dog owners also, the USPS cautioned. The average cost per insurance claim for a dog bite is $64,555, according to the Postal Service, citing information from the Insurance Information Institute.
"When a postal employee suffers an injury, the owner could be responsible for medical bills, lost wages, uniform replacement costs, and pain and suffering for the employee," USPS stated in its news release.
CARRIERS TRY TO AVOID AN ATTACK
To avoid a canine confrontation, letter carriers are trained to:
· Make a non-threatening noise or rattle a fence to alert a dog if entering a yard
· Never startle a dog
· Keep their eyes on any dog
· Never assume a dog will not bite
· Never attempt to pet or feed a dog
· Place their foot against an outward swinging door to prevent a dog from escaping
But if a dog does attack, USPS employees are also trained to stand their ground and use repellent, if necessary.
YOU CAN HELP KEEP YOUR USPS CARRIER SAFE
Most people know approximately what time their letter carrier arrives each day; so, if someone is home, the dog should be secured inside the house or behind a secure fence (with ALL gates latched securely), or the dog can be secured on a leash beforehand to minimize the potential danger, the USPS advised. (It is wise for a homeowner to always check that no gates have been left open by visitors or other residents and to also assure their dog is not digging an exit under a fence.)
Small children should not be allowed to take mail directly from the carrier, because the dog may view this as a threat to the child, USPS added.
Remember that, if dog concerns which threaten or endanger a mail carrier are not resolved by the occupant, USPS can require recipients to rent a post office box and pick up their mail at that location.
How to keep your dog from attacking postal workers
Any dog, even normally non-aggressive ones, can attack if they feel their turf is being invaded.
"Customers may not consider their dog a danger to others, however, to a letter carrier like me, all dogs can be considered a threat when delivering the mail," said Jonah Helfrich, a Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, letter carrier. "I was recently delivering mail and a dog barged through a door and bit me on the wrist, which required me to seek medical treatment. I strongly encourage all dog owners to take precautions to make sure their dog is secure when mail is being delivered."
It's not just the carrier who will be affected, although that's enough. If a postal employee is injured the dog owner may be responsible for medical bills, lost wages, uniform replacement costs and pain and suffering for the carrie, and that can run into the thousands.
It can also mean your mail will be delayed, as the USPS prioritizes the safety of its workers and will ask you to come pick it up at a facility until the carrier feels safe returning to your home. If your dog is free to roam about, your neighbors also may have to go pick up their mail at the post office.
SAFE MAIL DELIVERY IS A TEAM EFFORT
USPS offers this advice to help alleviate a potentially dangerous situation:
- When it's time for a letter carrier to arrive, keep dogs inside the house or behind a fence, in a different room with the door closed, or on a leash. Dogs can burst through screen doors or even plate-glass windows if they feel their territory or family is threatened.
- Don't let children take mail directly from a mail carrier as the dog may view that as a potential threat to the child.
- Sign up for Informed Delivery to get a heads-up on when the mail will arrive (and get photos of your mail before it gets there).
Mail carriers are also trained to make observations regarding dogs on any property they enter, and, if they are in fear of an attack, to protect their body by placing something between them and the dog — such as their mail satchel — and they may also use dog repellent, if necessary.
The best way to handle a dog attack is for it to not happen. If dogs are safely confined on property, all parties—and USPS mail—is protected.
(Phyllis M. Daugherty is a former Los Angeles City employee, an animal activist and a contributor to CityWatch.)
