USPS Reported More Than 5,200 Dog Attacks on Mail Carriers Last Year-and This West Coast City Led the Pack

The classic trope of dogs going nuts at the sight of a mail carrier is one we've all seen before. And while we live in the digital age, mail delivery is still very much a part of our lives, along with the adorable fur babies we'd like to think would never actually hurt the people delivering our mail.

Despite carriers having to incorporate dog-avoidance tactics into their daily routines, you might be surprised by the sheer number of dog attacks that still happen every year. According to the USPS, more than 5,200 Postal Service employees were attacked by dogs in 2025 alone. Among the cities tracked by the agency, one major West Coast city reported the highest number of incidents. Can you guess which one it is?

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Los Angeles Reported More Dog Attacks on Mail Carriers Than Any Other U.S. City

With more than 5,200 U.S. Postal Service employees reported to have been attacked by dogs in 2025, it's no wonder the agency is issuing a call to action. Out of 33 major cities and 10 states tracked, California ranks at the top in both categories with a total of 673 incidents, 70 of which were in Los Angeles alone.

The top five cities with the most reported dog attacks on mail carriers in 2025 were:

• Los Angeles: 70
• Dallas: 50
• Denver: 45
• Houston: 44
• Chicago: 43

USPS Is Asking Dog Owners to Take Extra Precautions During Mail Delivery

To help reduce injuries and raise awareness around the issue, USPS is kicking off its annual Dog Bite Awareness Campaign on June 1, 2026, with the theme, "Don't turn your back on dog bite prevention."

"Every single day, our postal employees serve their communities across dynamic, fast-changing environments," said USPS employee safety and health awareness manager Leeann Theriault.

"Preventing dog-related incidents requires constant, shared vigilance. This campaign reinforces a vital truth: animal behavior can change in an instant, but proactive awareness from both our carriers and the customers we serve can stop painful injuries before they ever happen."

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What Dog Owners Should Know

For new pet owners, or those still training, it's worth keeping in mind that even well-behaved dogs can act unpredictably when they're startled or feel protective of their home. As a precaution, USPS recommends keeping dogs secured in a separate room when answering the door, using a leash when outside and avoiding direct interactions between pets and mail carriers during deliveries.

The thing is, having a dog is a big responsibility. And no matter how nice or well-behaved your dog is at home, accidents can happen and situations can change in a second. That said, protecting your carrier isn't just good for them and your dog, it also protects your wallet. USPS warns that dog attacks can lead to medical bills, lost work time and other out-of-pocket costs for both pet owners and carriers.

In more serious cases, mail delivery can be temporarily suspended until it is safe to resume, with residents required to pick up their mail at their local Post Office instead of having it delivered to their door.

How Carriers Can Stay Safe From Dog Attacks

Carriers are trained to stay alert and react quickly when encountering dogs on their routes. While staying aware and being quick on your feet generally does the trick, it's ultimately still on pet owners to take steps of their own to ensure a safe environment for everyone.

That said, carriers are instructed to:

• Announce their presence before entering a yard or driveway
• Maintain visual contact with the dog at all times
• Treat all dogs as a potential risk, even if they appear friendly
• Use their mail satchel as a protective barrier if needed

If a situation escalates, carriers are also trained to use dog repellent as a last resort. USPS also provides additional support tools, including handheld scanners that flag addresses with reported dog incidents and warning cards placed in sorting cases to alert carriers ahead of time.

To learn more about the campaign, you read more about it here, or join the conversation online by sharing the above safety tips on social media using the hashtag #dogbiteawareness.

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This story was originally published May 30, 2026 at 8:02 PM.