Sacramento ranked 16th worst city for postal service dog attacks: What to do to ensure the safety of others

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3 days ago

(FOX40.COM) — Newly released statistics show that the Sacramento Postal District is ranked at number 16 for the worst city for dog attacks, according to the United States Postal Service.
Video Above: Officials condemn lack of security of USPS mailboxes amid audit
In 2024, there were 21 attacks in Sacramento, with more than 6,000 postal employees attacked nationwide.
USPS released a list of tips and reminders on how dog owners can ensure their pet does not attack anyone.
Officials said that dogs act without warning in defense of their territory, when they feel anxious or when they're sick. Therefore, it is important for dog owners to help with the process of safe mail delivery.
According to USPS, most people know around what time their carrier arrives every day.
Because of this, dog owners are asked to:
Secure dogs before the carrier approaches your property to decrease the risk of an attack.
Keep dogs in separate rooms or areas away from the door when the mail carrier arrives.
Close the door firmly before going outside to make sure no dogs slip through.
If already outside, make sure any dogs are secured away from the mail carrier and on a leash.
Never accept mail from a carrier in front of dogs.
Remind children to not take mail from a carrier as dogs may see that as a threat.
Sign up for USPS Informed Delivery to see incoming mail before it arrives.
USPS officials also remind dog owners that mail carriers have guidelines when coming face to face with a dog.
Mail carriers are trained to:
Make a non-threatening noise or rattle a fence to alert dogs
Never startle a dog
Keep their eyes on any dog
Never assume a dog will not bite
Never attempt to pet or feed a dog
Place their foot against an outward swinging door to prevent a dog from escaping
Protect their body by placing something in between them and the dog during an attack
Use dog repellent during an attack if necessary
'Mail carriers have tools to alert them to dogs on their routes,' said USPS officials. 'A dog alert feature on carriers' handheld scanners can remind them of a possible dog hazard, and dog warning cards must be used during mail sorting to alert carriers to addresses where a dog may interfere with delivery.'
Officials also want owners to know that if a dog attack were to occur, it can cost them thousands of dollars in medical bills, lost wages, uniform replacement costs and pain and suffering.
'Customers may not consider their dog a danger to others, however, to a letter carrier like me, all dogs can be considered a threat when delivering the mail,' said Jonah Helfrich, a Blue Bell, PA, letter carrier. 'I was recently delivering mail and a dog barged through a door and bit me on the wrist, which required me to seek medical treatment. I strongly encourage all dog owners to take precautions to make sure their dog is secure when mail is being delivered.'
Additionally, mail delivery can be stopped until the carrier feels safe enough to restart the delivery. USPS said that until then, mail would have to be picked up at the local Post Office.
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For the resident to be informed of the mail delivery suspension, they must contact the local Post Office for more information. According to officials, if the dangerous dog issue is not resolved, then the owner may be required to rent a Post Office box.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles was ranked at number one for the most dog bite incidents, with 77 dog bites in 2024. Houston, Texas is at number two with 65 dog bites, and Chicago, Illinois takes third place with 57 dog bites in 2024.
California was the state with the most dog bites in 2024, with 701, while Texas had 438 and Ohio had 350 dog bites in 2024.
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