COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – The United States Postal Service launches a national dog bite awareness campaign each June, revealing the states and cities where its carriers suffer the most canine attacks.
In 2024, USPS workers experienced “more than 6,000” dog bites nationwide, rising from about 5,800 in 2023 and 5,300 in 2022, the government agency found.
Ohio was the state where USPS carriers suffered the third-highest number of dog attacks last year, at 350 documented bites. The Buckeye State was also ranked at No. 3 in the 2023 report, but saw slightly more bites at 359.
Taking the No. 1 spot as the state that experienced the most dog bites on mail carriers in 2024 was California, which saw 701 incidents, followed by Texas at No. 2 (438), Illinois at No. 4 (344) and New York at No. 5 (322).
When it came to the cities that saw the most dog bites, three in Ohio made the top 15. Cincinnati saw the fifth-highest number of bites at 44, Cleveland saw the eighth-highest number at 40, and Columbus saw the 14th-highest number at 32.
The city accounting for the most dog attacks on mail carriers was Los Angeles, which saw 77 bites, followed by Houston (65), Chicago (57) and St. Louis (47).
“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,” said Leeann Theriault, USPS employee safety and health awareness manager. “Dog bite attacks on postal employees are preventable.”
For dog owners who want to ensure their mail is delivered safely, USPS advises them to secure their pets in an area away from the carrier’s path before they arrive at the property. Canines should be kept inside a house, behind a fence, or on a leash when the carrier approaches.
USPS also warns of the costs dog owners may face if their pet bites a carrier. When a postal employee suffers an injury, the owner could be responsible for “thousands of dollars” in medical bills, lost wages and uniform replacement costs.
If a carrier feels unsafe to make a delivery due to a dog, the canine’s owner may also have to pick up the mail themselves at their local post office.