PA ranked high among worst states for dog attacks on mail carriers in 2023, USPS says
The U.S. Postal Service reported nearly 6,000 cases of dog attacks against its workers in 2023, and a good chunk of them came from Pennsylvania.
The Keystone State was responsible for more dog attacks on postal workers than nearly any other state last year, according to a recent report from the agency. These incidents can prove dangerous and costly for letter carriers, who may find themselves saddled with large medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering and other costs, the USPS says.
Taking proper precautions can significantly help reduce the risk of dog attacks on postal workers. Here’s what you need to know about Pennsylvania’s attacks and some steps you can take to keep your dog and your local letter carriers safe.
How did Pennsylvania’s dog attacks compare to the rest of the country?
According to its May 30 report, the USPS recorded 334 dog attacks on postal workers in Pennsylvania in 2023. That figure ranked fourth in the country behind only California (727), Texas (411) and Ohio (359).
Pennsylvania — the fifth-most populous state in the country, according to the latest U.S. Census Bureau estimates — saw its number of dog attacks on postal workers increase by nearly 7% from 2022, when the commonwealth produced 311 such attacks. All but three states ranked within the top 10 saw their counts of dog attacks on postal workers increase from 2022 to 2023, according to the USPS report.
Here’s a look at the 10 states that recorded the most dog attacks on postal workers in 2023, according to the USPS:
- California (727 attacks)
- Texas (411)
- Ohio (359)
- Pennsylvania (334)
- Illinois (316)
- New York (296)
- Florida (193)
- North Carolina (185)
- Michigan (183)
- Missouri (180)
Los Angeles’ 65 dog attacks on postal workers led all U.S. cities last year, checking in ahead of Houston (56) and Chicago (48). Philadelphia, the sixth-most populous city in the U.S., checked in No. 9 overall with 34 attacks last year.
These were the 10 cities that recorded the most dog attacks on postal workers in 2023:
- Los Angeles (65 attacks)
- Houston (56)
- Chicago (48)
- St. Louis (46)
- Cleveland (44)
- San Diego (41)
- Dallas (39)
- Cincinnati (38)
- Philadelphia (34)
- Columbus, Ohio (33)
How can dog owners avoid attacks on mail carriers?
The USPS provides plenty of services and tips for those whose dogs might pose a threat to mail carriers. However, the agency says it knows even dogs perceived as non-aggressive can occasionally bite.
Consider taking the following steps to reduce the risk of accidental dog attacks on mail carriers, the USPS suggests:
- Keep track of when mail tends to arrive at your home and make sure to secure your dog once delivery time is near.
- Consider signing up for informed delivery, a free USPS service that provides digital previews of incoming mail and packages. The tool can inform you when to expect mail carriers around your home.
- Keep your dog inside your house or within a fence and away from doors. Consider keeping your dog securely in another room or on a leash so it can’t attack or bite carriers while you collect your mail.
- Remind children not to take mail directly from carriers. Dogs can view that as a threat and potentially become aggressive.
The USPS can stop mail service when carriers feel unsafe. In that case, you would need to pick up your mail at your local post office until carriers feel safe enough to resume regular deliveries. Prolonged issues regarding mail carrier safety may require dog owners to rent a box at their post office to receive their mail.
Mail carriers are trained to scout for areas where dogs might be present and are taught to avoid startling dogs and never assume dogs will not bite, among other tactics. USPS carriers also use digital tools, including handheld scanners, that may alert them to dogs on their routes.
Attacks on postal workers often prove costly, according to the USPS report. Recent information from the Insurance Information Institute found the average cost per insurance claim for a dog bite reached $64,555.
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