In 2022, more than 5,300 postal workers across the United States were attacked by dogs while trying to deliver mail, according to data released by U.S. Postal Service on Thursday (June 1).
The USPS released the figures as part of its National Dog Bite Index ahead of National Dog Week.
California topped the list of states with the most dog bites. In 2022, there were 675 cases of postal workers attacking dogs on the job in the Golden State, compared to 656 the previous year.
Texas was second with more than 400 cases in 2022, followed by New York and Pennsylvania with 321 and 313, respectively.
Two of the top three cities with the highest number of attacks are in Texas, including Houston in first place with 57 and Dallas taking the third spot with 44 attacks, while Los Angeles came in second with 48 dog bites.
The USPS said many of those attacks came from dogs whose owners routinely repeatedly claimed, “my dog won’t bite.”
USPS Director of Occupational Safety and Health Linda DeCarlo said a dog that has bitten a mail carrier is usually labeled a “good dog” with no prior threatening behavior.
DeCarlo highlighted that aggressive dogs had impacted employees; she then requested that pet owners “Help” keep USPS employees safe and reduce the number of dog bites by “being a responsible pet owner who secures their dog as we deliver mail.”
The postal service advised dog owners to keep their dogs inside, behind a fence, or on a leash when letter carriers arrive at their homes.
