Two California cities rank in top 10 of most dog bites against postal workers in nation

Unfortunately, it’s not just in the movies: Dogs really do bite mail carriers, and at alarming rates.

Incidents involving dog attacks on Postal Service employees totaled more than 6,000 cases last year, an increase from the more than 5,800 reported in 2023, according to the government agency. It’s such a problem that certain cities in the United States are notorious for dog bites — and two California cities have landed among the top 10.

2 California cities make the top 10 list for most dog attacks

In 2024, Los Angeles claimed the top spot for the highest number of dog bites/attacks toward postal workers with 77 incidents.

Coming in at No. 8 on the list is San Diego, with 35 dog attacks in 2024.

Cities and states with the most dog attacks in 2024 

In total, 38 cities comprise the top 20 localities with the greatest number of dog bite incidents. The full ranking for 2024 attacks include:

1. Los Angeles: 77 attacks
2. Houston, Texas: 65
3. Chicago, Illinois: 57
4. St. Louis, Missouri: 47
5. Cincinnati, Ohio: 44
6. Dallas, Texas: 43
7. Kansas City, Missouri, and Cleveland, Ohio: 40
8. San Diego: 35
9. Denver, Colorado: 34
10. San Antonio, Texas; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Detroit, Michigan; and Columbus, Ohio: 32
11. Minneapolis, Minnesota: 30
12. Indianapolis, Indiana: 26
13. Phoenix, Arizona, and Memphis, Tennessee: 25
14. Omaha, Nebraska, and Louisville, Kentucky: 24
15. Rochester, New York: 23
16. Toledo, Ohio; Sacramento; and El Paso, Texas: 21
17. San Francisco; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Albuquerque, New Mexico: 20
18. Stockton and Oakland: 18
19. Youngstown, Ohio; Salt Lake City, Utah; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Miami, Florida; and Des Moines, Iowa: 17
20. St. Petersburg, Florida; Fort Worth, Texas; and Birmingham, Alabama: 15

The 10 states with the greatest number of dog bite incidents are:

1. California: 701
2. Texas: 438
3. Ohio: 350
4. Illinois: 344
5. New York: 322
6. Pennsylvania: 316
7. Michigan: 231
8. Florida: 210
9. Missouri: 207
10. North Carolina: 169

USPS launches National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign, tips for keeping employees safe from dog attacks

As part of the 2025 USPS National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign, the organization is offering information on how dog owners can be good stewards for safe mail delivery and ensure the safety of employees.

The month-long campaign begins on Sunday, June 1. This year’s theme is “Secure Your Dog, Keep Deliveries on Track.”

“The best way to keep safe from dog attacks is to recognize and promote the responsibility of pet ownership, such as teaching your dog appropriate behavior and commands and not allowing your dog to roam freely. All dogs — regardless of breed, size or age — have the potential to bite,” Leeann Theriault, USPS employee safety and health awareness manager, said in a statement. “Dog bite attacks on postal employees are preventable. The most important message for our customers to remember during the 2025 USPS National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign is keep your dog secured and away from the carrier as the mail is being delivered. Help ensure the safety of everyone in our communities.”

Some tips the USPS has for dog owners include:

• Securing your dog before the carrier approaches your property will minimize any potentially dangerous interactions.
• Keep your dog in a separate room or area away from the door when the mail carrier comes to your house. If you go outside, close the door firmly behind you and make sure it is secured so your dog doesn’t slip out or bust through it unexpectedly. If you are outside with your dog while mail is being delivered, make sure your dog is secured away from the mail carrier and on a leash. Never accept the mail from your mail carrier in the presence of your dog.
• Remind children to not take mail directly from a letter carrier because the dog may view the carrier as a threat to the child.

What happens if a dog attacks a mail carrier?

USPS states that postal workers are trained to observe an area where they know dogs may be present and how to react in an attack.

If a postal employee suffers an injury from a dog attack, USPS states it can cost the dog owner thousands of dollars because they could be responsible for medical bills, lost wages, uniform replacement costs and pain and suffering for the employee.

Additionally, if an employee feels unsafe, mail service can be stopped at a specific address or neighborhood. In that instance, mail will have to be picked up at the dog owner’s local post office.

Ema Sasic covers entertainment and health in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at ema.sasic@desertsun.com or on Twitter @ema_sasic.

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