Pa. mail carriers were bit by dogs more than 300 times in 2024. Where the state ranks.

• The U.S. Postal Service launched its “Secure Your Dog, Keep Deliveries on Track” campaign to raise awareness and offer safety tips.

Pennsylvania postal workers were bit or suffered other injuries from incidents involving dogs 316 times in 2024, according to new data from the United States Postal Service.

The number of dog attacks in Pennsylvania was the sixth most of any state in the nation. However, the rankings do not take into account differences in population from state to state.

More: Ohio one of worst states for dog attacks on postal workers. Which cities rank highest?

The 316 dog attacks are 18 fewer than in 2023 but still higher than the three preceding years, 2020-2022. The slight drop in Pennsylvania came as dog bite and other dog-related incidents involving postal workers surged to 6,000 nationwide.

Among cities, Philadelphia ranked 10th with 32 attacks and Pittsburgh came in at 19th with 17 attacks.

The U.S. Postal Service releases its dog bite statistics annually ahead of its National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign, which is themed, “Secure Your Dog, Keep Deliveries on Track.”

Tips to avoid dog attacks

The federal agency says even dogs that have never shown signs of aggression can respond aggressively without alarm to protect their territory, their owner and their owner’s property if they feel anxious, sick or become startled.

Property owners are asked to secure their dogs indoors, away from the door, before a postal worker approaches. If the animal is outside at the time, they should be secured on a leash and kept away from the mail carrier.

Propery owners and others, including children, should never accept mail directly from a postal worker in the presence of their dog, according to the agency.

U.S. Dog Attacks	PA Dog Attacks
2024	6,000	316
2023	5,800	334
2022	5,300	313
2021	5,400	281
2020	5,800	296

Mail carriers are taught how to avoid potentially dangerous interactions involving dogs and how to defend themselves if they are attacked.

If a carrier feels unsafe, they are encouraged to suspend service to a property until they do. In this case, property owners have to retrieve their mail from their local post office until the issue addressed. They can even be required to rent a post-office box if they fail to address concerns.

Matthew Rink is a USA TODAY Network Pennsylvania investigative journalist.

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