GREATER LOS ANGELES — Last year, U.S. Postal Service employees suffered more than 5,200 dog attacks. To combat this, USPS is sharing vital safety guidance to help pet owners protect mail carriers and ensure uninterrupted mail delivery.

“As June is ‘Dog Bite Awareness Month’, we want to remind the public that safety is a shared responsibility. Los Angeles unfortunately recorded the highest number of reported dog bites in the nation, with 70 incidents involving postal employees last year. We encourage all pet owners to help protect their mail carriers by securing their dogs during mail delivery. Even the friendliest dogs can react unexpectedly, and one simple precaution can help prevent dog bite injuries," said Marci Luna, Los Angeles city (CA 5), Postmaster.

A monthlong Dog Bite Awareness campaign begins Monday, June 1, with the theme of “Don’t turn your back on dog bite prevention.”

“The CA 5 District, which includes Long Beach and other surrounding cities, continues to rank among the cities with the highest number of dog bite incidents nationwide, with a combined total of 109 dog incidents. This month-long campaign helps to highlight the need for greater public awareness and responsible pet ownership to combat this problem,” said Abraham Cooper, Los Angeles (CA 5) District Manager.

Keep Mail Delivery Safe: Tips for Dog Owners

Even the most predictable pets can act unpredictably when defending territory or feeling startled. Because dogs rely on protective instincts, owners must manage their dogs during delivery times to prevent accidents. Keep your dog in a separate closed room before opening the front door. If you step outside, ensure the door is firmly latched. Always use a leash if your dog is outdoors during mail delivery. Finally, never accept mail directly from a carrier in the presence of your dog, and teach children to avoid doing so, as dogs can misinterpret the interaction as a threat.

Sign up for USPS Informed Delivery and See the Mail on Your Electronic Device Before It Arrives

By using the free Informed Delivery feature, customers can digitally preview incoming mail and packages from a computer, tablet or mobile device. Over 70 million customers have enrolled since the service was launched in 2017. Sign up at informeddelivery.usps.com. This service can help dog owners anticipate when their carrier might arrive.

The Financial and Emotional Damage of a Dog Attack

Protecting your carrier protects your wallet. If your dog attacks a postal worker, you could owe thousands of dollars out of pocket to cover their medical care, lost shifts, replacement clothing and emotional distress.

“I was walking my route when a dog jumped the fence and lunged at me,” said San Antonio Letter Carrier Fiona Hudson. “I used my dog repellent and mail bag to defend myself, but it was too late. I was rushed to the hospital bleeding, with a broken bone, a severe arm sprain and was barely able to move. While my physical wounds have healed, the trauma of that vicious attack stays with me. Customers must take responsibility and secure their dogs during delivery hours.”

Take Action: Unsecured Dogs Stop Mail Delivery

When a carrier feels unsafe because of a roaming dog, mail service can be temporarily suspended.

Until the carrier feels safe enough to restart delivery, the mail will have to be picked up at the dog owner’s local Post Office.

If a carrier feels a house or neighborhood is unsafe to deliver to and there is no way to inform residents their mail service has been suspended, the residents will have to contact the supervisor at their local Post Office for more information. The residents would also have to pick up their mail at the Post Office until it is safe to resume delivery.

If a dangerous dog issue is not resolved, owners can be required to rent a Post Office Box to receive mail.

Armed with Awareness: How Carriers Prevent Dog Bites

Postal carriers undergo extensive safety training to spot potential canine hazards. Carriers are instructed to remain vigilant and exercise the precautions below:

• Announce entry. Rattle a fence gate or make a non-threatening sound before walking into a yard.
• Maintain visual contact. Never startle an animal and always keep eyes locked on the dog.
• Assume dog poses risk Avoid petting or feeding any animal on the assumption that any dog has the potential to bite.
• Block exits. Secure outward-swinging doors with a foot to prevent a pet from escaping.

If a dog attacks, carriers are trained to stand their ground, use their mail satchel as a protective shield and deploy dog repellent if necessary. To stay ahead of these risks, USPS also provides carriers with awareness tools, including handheld scanners that feature built-in dog warning alerts and physical warning cards that are placed into mail sorting cases to alert a carrier of a dog at a certain address.

Cities and States with the Most Dog Attacks in 2025

For the 2025 dog attack rankings in your specific city in the California 5 district, contact Natashi Garvins, USPS Corporate Communications representative at natashi.l.garvins@usps.gov.

The cities of Los Angeles (70) and Long Beach (17) are in the top 25 localities with the greatest number of dog bite incidents; the CA 5 district experienced a combined total of 106 dog incidents:

These are the 10 states with the greatest number of dog bite incidents:

Dog bite awareness events will be held across CA 5 throughout June, as the Los Angeles USPS team shares information with the public and local media on how to keep postal employees and their communities safe.

"Protecting children, postal workers, and our communities begins with comprehensive training, secure leashing practices, and ongoing education to prevent dog-related injuries. Together, these measures create safer neighborhoods and ensure everyone can live and work without fear," said Cooper.

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