The classic comedy scene of a mail carrier running for their life as a dog chases them through a quiet neighborhood might be funny on screen, but in real life, it’s no joke for USPS workers. That’s the message behind the latest report from the U.S. Postal Service.
As part of the National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) revealed that more than 6,000 dog attacks on mail carriers were reported nationwide in 2024. And the city with the highest number of incidents? Los Angeles, far ahead of other major cities like Houston and Chicago. Several other California cities also ranked in the top 20, including San Diego, Sacramento, San Francisco, Stockton, and Oakland.
As published on the official USPS website, when a postal worker is injured in a dog attack, the dog owner can face thousands of dollars in costs, including medical bills, lost wages, uniform replacement, and compensation for pain and suffering.
So what can you do to help? Many dog owners aren’t experts, and even well-behaved dogs can act unpredictably, reacting instinctively to protect their owners or property. Dogs may attack not only out of aggression but also if they feel startled, anxious, or unwell.
To prevent dangerous encounters with mail carriers, it’s important to secure your dog before the carrier arrives, keep them in a separate room, close doors firmly, or keep them on a leash away from the carrier. Avoid accepting mail in your dog’s presence and remind children not to take mail directly from the carrier, as the dog may see the carrier as a threat to them.