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Dog Attacks on Mail Carriers Soar to Seven-Year High, USPS Data Shows

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Author Alana Theron, BSc in Biodiversity and Ecology

When the U.S. Postal Service released its latest data, it revealed a disturbing surge in dog attacks—more than 6,000 reported incidents in 2024, the highest total since 2017. This alarming trend underscores the growing challenge that postal workers face as they deliver mail across the nation.

A Tailspin in Safety

German Shepard laying on grass
German shepherd dog sitting on grass. Image via Depositphotos

USPS data confirms that dog bite incidents against mail carriers reached 6,088 in 2024—a 5 % increase from 2023 and 15 % higher than 2022—marking the highest total since 2017. These assaults include anything from chases to bites—and tragically, even fatalities.

Midwest Leads in Attack Rates

While the national total is staggering, the Midwest stands out with the highest rate of attacks per household. States like Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Ohio saw about 5.24 attacks per 100,000 households—roughly 75 % higher than the South.

State and City Hot Spots

Image by Auréanne Mailhiot on Unsplash

California topped the charts with 701 attacks in 2024, followed by Texas (438), Ohio (350), and Illinois (344). At the city level:

  • Los Angeles recorded 77 dog attack incidents—the highest in the nation.
  • Houston followed closely with 65 attacks, maintaining its position as the second-most frequent city in the U.S. for carrier assaults

Other Texas cities like Dallas and San Antonio also made the top ten list with 43 and 32 incidents, respectively.

Cost and Consequences

Image by Nick Bolton on Unsplash

These attacks carry heavy costs. Insurance claims for mail carriers’ dog bite injuries averaged around $70,000 per incident in 2024. Beyond financial impact, victims often endure emotional trauma and PTSD—even after physical wounds heal. In 2022, a Florida postal worker tragically died following a multi-dog mauling.

USPS Action Plan

Wolf dog
Wolf dog. Image by Openverse.

To combat the trend, USPS renewed its annual “Dog Bite Awareness” campaign in June, providing mail carriers with defensive training and anti-bite tools:

  • Use of dog repellant sprays and mail satchels as physical shields
  • Strict rules against wearing earbuds while on duty
  • Bright orange warning labels for homes with aggressive dogs

USPS spokesperson David Coleman emphasized responsible pet ownership: “Teach your dog appropriate behavior… don’t allow a dog to roam freely.” Leeann Theriault, USPS safety manager, added: “Dog bite attacks on postal employees are preventable… keep your dog secured and away from the carrier”.

A Call to Action for Communities

A male American Bully XL.
A male American Bully XL. Image by: BullyB6 – This file has been extracted from another file, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=80191320

With over 300,000 mail carriers in the U.S. delivering to the more than one-third of households that own dogs, the threat is widespread. USPS can suspend mail delivery to homes with roaming aggressive dogs until owners secure them, and without compliance, residents may need to retrieve mail via a P.O. box. This year’s surge in dog attacks is a sobering reminder: safeguarding postal workers requires a collective effort—mail carriers must stay alert and proactive, while dog owners must train and restrain their pets responsibly.

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