Dog attacks on postal workers continue to increase in New Mexico, USPS data shows
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – For the second year in a row, the number of dog attacks on postal workers in New Mexico increased, according to the U.S. Postal Service.
Data from USPS shows there were 48 postal employees throughout New Mexico who were attacked by dogs in 2024, which is an increase from 45 in 2023 and 24 in 2022. In Albuquerque, the number of dog attacks decreased to 20 in 2024, compared to 26 in 2023.
Across the country, there were more than 6,000 dog attacks on postal workers last year, an increase from the year prior. The U.S. Postal Service ranked the top 20 cities in the country for these types of incidents. Albuquerque made the top 20 ranking and tied with three other cities for the 17th spot.
The city with the most reported dog attacks on USPS workers was Los Angeles, with 77 incidents.
The top three states for dog attacks on letter carriers in 2024 were California, Texas, and Ohio, according to U.S. Postal Service data. A list of the top 10 states can be found below:
The U.S. Postal Service shared this data as part of its month-long National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign, which begins on June 1.
'Dog bite attacks on postal employees are preventable. The most important message for our customers to remember during the 2025 USPS National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign is keep your dog secured and away from the carrier as the mail is being delivered. Help ensure the safety of everyone in our communities,' Leeann Theriault, USPS employee safety and health awareness manager, stated in a news release.
The USPS also shared the following information about how dog owners can help with safe mail delivery:
Secure your dog before the carrier approaches your property to minimize any potentially dangerous interactions.
Keep your dog in a separate room or area away from the door when the mail carrier comes to your house.
If you go outside, close the door firmly behind you and make sure it is secured so your dog doesn't slip out or bust through it unexpectedly.
If you are outside with your dog while mail is being delivered, make sure your dog is secured away from the mail carrier and on a leash.
Never accept mail from your mail carrier in the presence of your dog.
Pet owners should remind children not to take mail directly from a letter carrier because the dog may view the carrier as a threat to the child.
The USPS said if an employee is injured by a dog attack, the owner could be responsible for medical bills, lost wages, uniform replacement costs, and pain and suffering for the employee.
If a carrier feels unsafe, mail service can be stopped, and would have to be picked up at the local post office.
If a dangerous dog issue is not resolved, owners can be required to rent a post office box to receive mail.
For more information on the USPS campaign, click here.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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