Latest news with #NationalDogBiteAwarenessCampaign
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Dog Attacks on Postal Workers Are on the Rise, According to USPS. Last Year There Were More Than 6,000
There were over 6,000 dog attacks on postal workers in 2024, the USPS said, marking a 200-case increase from 2023 California and Los Angeles rank as the top state and city, respectively, with the highest number of incidents The agency released the statistics as part of its National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign, which kicks off Sunday, June 1 For some letter carriers in California last year, dogs weren't exactly man's best friend. The United States Postal Service (USPS) announced in a press release on Thursday, May 29, that the number of incidents involving dog attacks on the agency's employees rose to over 6,000 in 2024. That is up 200 more cases from 2023. Of the top 10 states with the greatest number of dog bites towards postal workers in 2024, California was ranked first with 701. That was followed by Texas with 438, Ohio with 350, Illinois with 344, New York with 322, Pennsylvania with 316, Michigan with 231, Florida with 210, Missouri with 207 and North Carolina with 169. Meanwhile, Los Angeles led the top American cities with the most dog bites at 77, according to the USPS. Coming in second was Houston with 65, and followed by Chicago with 57; St. Louis with 47; Cincinnati with 44; Dallas with 43; Kansas City and Cleveland tied with 40; San Diego with 35; Denver with 34; and San Antonio and Philadelphia tied with 32. The latest statistics coincide with the Postal Service's National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign that will begin on Sunday, June 1, with the theme, 'Don't let your dog bite the hand that serves you.' As part of the campaign, the agency is offering tips to dog owners on how to control their pets when a letter carrier approaches to deliver mail to their residence. The tips include keeping canines inside the home or behind a fence, away from the door or another room, and on a leash. The USPS also recommends that children do not take the mail directly from the letter carrier since the dog may interpret the carrier as a threat to the child. Canine attacks on postal employees can cost owners thousands of dollars, according to the agency, in terms of "medical bills, lost wages, uniform replacement costs, and pain and suffering" for the worker. The USPS also stated that their letter carriers are trained when it comes to observing dogs in an area and being aware of a potentially dangerous situation. Among the things they've learned include not startling a dog, keeping their eyes on the animal and not attempting to pet or feed it. Mail service could also be stopped if the letter carrier feels unsafe around a dangerous dog on the route, added the USPS, which means the dog owner's mail would have to be picked up at their local post office. If the issue is not resolved, then the dog owner may have to rent a post office box to continue receiving mail. 'Dog bite attacks on postal employees are preventable,' Leeann Theriault, USPS employee safety and health awareness manager, said in the press release. "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.' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Last November, two letter carriers in the Dedham area of Massachusetts were attacked by canines in separate incidents as they were delivering the mail. 'Both Adam and Jeanette are back to work, and we commend their healing strengths, positive attitudes and commitments to their jobs,' Dedham Animal Control said in a statement at the time, as reported by Fox affiliate WFXT. 'Both of these incidents were preventable and neither was the fault of the Letter Carrier.' In 2022, Pamela Jane Rock, a Florida postal worker, died after she was attacked by five dogs when her postal vehicle broke down while on the job. Authorities said that Rock, 61, was waiting for help with her vehicle when the dogs broke through a fence, escaped and mauled her, NBC News reported. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
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.
Miami Herald
3 days ago
- Miami Herald
Map Shows Cities Where Dogs Bite USPS Workers Most
The U.S. Postal Service has released a list of the cities where the highest number of dog bites on UPS workers were recorded in 2024, and a Newsweek map highlights the danger zones. The city with the highest number of incidents is Los Angeles, where 77 employees were attacked. Houston is second, with 65 dog bites, and Chicago is next with 57 incidents recorded. The U.S. Postal Service said that there were more than 6,000 incidents involving dog attacks on Postal Service employees last year. It has launched a USPS National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign to advise dog owners on how to prevent these attacks from happening, most importantly that dogs should be kept secured when mail is delivered. The U.S. Postal Service listed 38 cities in which the greatest number of dog bite incidents took place in 2024. The full list is: Los Angeles, California – 77Houston, Texas – 65Chicago, Illinois – 57St. Louis, Missouri – 47Cincinnati, Ohio – 44Dallas, Texas – 43Kansas City, Missouri – 40Cleveland, Ohio – 40San Diego, California – 35Denver, Colorado – 34San Antonio, Texas – 32Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – 32Detroit, Michigan – 32Columbus, Ohio – 32Minneapolis, Minnesota – 30Indianapolis, Indiana – 26Phoenix, Arizona – 25Memphis, Tennessee – 25Omaha, Nebraska – 24Louisville, Kentucky – 24Rochester, New York – 23Toledo, Ohio – 21Sacramento, California – 21El Paso, Texas – 21San Francisco, California – 20Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – 20Milwaukee – 20Albuquerque, New Mexico – 20Stockton, California – 18Oakland, California – 18Youngstown, Ohio – 17Salt Lake City, Utah – 17Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – 17Miami, Florida – 17Des Moines, Iowa – 17St. Petersburg, Florida – 15Fort Worth, Texas – 15Birmingham, Alabama – 15 The agency said that mail carriers are trained on how to handle approaching properties where dogs are present and how to handle an attack. However, these attacks can be very dangerous and can lead to injuries that require mail carriers to seek medical attention. In the case of a dog attack, the dog owner could be liable for thousands of dollars of medical bills and wages, among other expenses. Leeann Theriault, USPS employee safety and health awareness manager, said in a press release: "The best way to keep safe from dog attacks is to recognize and promote the responsibility of pet ownership, such as teaching your dog appropriate behavior and commands and not allowing your dog to roam freely. All dogs-regardless of breed, size or age-have the potential to bite." "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." If a mail carrier feels unsafe delivering mail due to issues such as an unsecured dog or repeated incidents, they can decide to stop delivering mail to the property until safety can be guaranteed. The USPS will continue its National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign to try to prevent more incidents. Related Articles America Could Get 68 New Zip Codes: Here's WhereUSPS Announces New Barbara Bush Forever StampUSPS Changes First-Class Mail: What To KnowWarning Issued for USPS Scam Text: What to Look Out For 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Newsweek
Map Shows Cities Where Dogs Bite USPS Workers Most
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The U.S. Postal Service has released a list of the cities where the highest number of dog bites on UPS workers were recorded in 2024, and a Newsweek map highlights the danger zones. The city with the highest number of incidents is Los Angeles, where 77 employees were attacked. Houston is second, with 65 dog bites, and Chicago is next with 57 incidents recorded. Why It Matters The U.S. Postal Service said that there were more than 6,000 incidents involving dog attacks on Postal Service employees last year. It has launched a USPS National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign to advise dog owners on how to prevent these attacks from happening, most importantly that dogs should be kept secured when mail is delivered. What To Know The U.S. Postal Service listed 38 cities in which the greatest number of dog bite incidents took place in 2024. The full list is: Los Angeles, California – 77 Houston, Texas – 65 Chicago, Illinois – 57 St. Louis, Missouri – 47 Cincinnati, Ohio – 44 Dallas, Texas – 43 Kansas City, Missouri – 40 Cleveland, Ohio – 40 San Diego, California – 35 Denver, Colorado – 34 San Antonio, Texas – 32 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – 32 Detroit, Michigan – 32 Columbus, Ohio – 32 Minneapolis, Minnesota – 30 Indianapolis, Indiana – 26 Phoenix, Arizona – 25 Memphis, Tennessee – 25 Omaha, Nebraska – 24 Louisville, Kentucky – 24 Rochester, New York – 23 Toledo, Ohio – 21 Sacramento, California – 21 El Paso, Texas – 21 San Francisco, California – 20 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – 20 Milwaukee – 20 Albuquerque, New Mexico – 20 Stockton, California – 18 Oakland, California – 18 Youngstown, Ohio – 17 Salt Lake City, Utah – 17 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – 17 Miami, Florida – 17 Des Moines, Iowa – 17 St. Petersburg, Florida – 15 Fort Worth, Texas – 15 Birmingham, Alabama – 15 The agency said that mail carriers are trained on how to handle approaching properties where dogs are present and how to handle an attack. However, these attacks can be very dangerous and can lead to injuries that require mail carriers to seek medical attention. In the case of a dog attack, the dog owner could be liable for thousands of dollars of medical bills and wages, among other expenses. What People Are Saying Leeann Theriault, USPS employee safety and health awareness manager, said in a press release: "The best way to keep safe from dog attacks is to recognize and promote the responsibility of pet ownership, such as teaching your dog appropriate behavior and commands and not allowing your dog to roam freely. All dogs—regardless of breed, size or age—have the potential to bite." "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." What Happens Next If a mail carrier feels unsafe delivering mail due to issues such as an unsecured dog or repeated incidents, they can decide to stop delivering mail to the property until safety can be guaranteed. The USPS will continue its National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign to try to prevent more incidents.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Los Angeles leads nation in dog attacks on USPS workers, new data shows
With dog attacks on postal workers climbing to more than 6,000 cases in the past year, the U.S. Postal Service is launching its annual National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign beginning June 1. According to USPS data, Los Angeles recorded 77 dog attacks on postal workers in 2024, the highest number of any city in the country. Houston followed with 65 incidents, and Chicago ranked third with 57. Other California cities also made the top 20 list, including San Diego, Sacramento, San Francisco, Stockton, and Oakland. Rank City, State Number of Attacks 1 Los Angeles, California 77 2 Houston, Texas 65 3 Chicago, Illinois 57 4 St. Louis, Missouri 47 5 Cincinnati, Ohio 44 6 Dallas, Texas 43 7 Kansas City, Missouri 40 7 Cleveland, Ohio 40 8 San Diego, California 35 9 Denver, Colorado 34 10 San Antonio, Texas 32 10 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 32 10 Detroit, Michigan 32 10 Columbus, Ohio 32 11 Minneapolis, Minnesota 30 12 Indianapolis, Indiana 26 13 Phoenix, Arizona 25 13 Memphis, Tennessee 25 14 Omaha, Nebraska 24 14 Louisville, Kentucky 24 15 Rochester, New York 23 16 Toledo, Ohio 21 16 Sacramento, California 21 16 El Paso, Texas 21 17 San Francisco, California 20 17 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 20 17 Milwaukee, Wisconsin 20 17 Albuquerque, New Mexico 20 18 Stockton, California 18 18 Oakland, California 18 19 Youngstown, Ohio 17 19 Salt Lake City, Utah 17 19 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 17 19 Miami, Florida 17 19 Des Moines, Iowa 17 20 St. Petersburg, Florida 15 20 Fort Worth, Texas 15 20 Birmingham, Alabama 15 Nationwide, California led all states with 701 dog bite incidents, Texas ranked second, while Ohio came in third. 2024 Dog Bite/Dog Incident Data STATE Number of dog bites Top 10 States 1 California 701 1 2 Texas 438 2 3 Ohio 350 3 4 Illinois 344 4 5 New York 322 5 6 Pennsylvania 316 6 7 Michigan 231 7 8 Florida 210 8 9 Missouri 207 9 10 North Carolina 169 10 This year's campaign, themed 'Secure Your Dog, Keep Deliveries on Track,' urges pet owners to take responsibility for keeping dogs properly restrained during mail delivery. The initiative runs throughout June and uses the hashtag #dogbiteawareness to spread awareness across social media. 'The best way to keep safe from dog attacks is to recognize and promote the responsibility of pet ownership,' Leeann Theriault, USPS employee safety and health awareness manager, said in a statement. 'All dogs — regardless of breed, size, or age — have the potential to bite.' The USPS emphasizes that many attacks occur unexpectedly, even from dogs that have no history of aggression. Mail carriers are trained to stay vigilant in neighborhoods where dogs are present and to follow safety protocols, such as never startling a dog and using items like mail satchels to create a barrier if threatened. The Postal Service advises customers to secure their dogs in a separate room or area away from the door during mail delivery. Pet owners should also avoid opening the door while the carrier is present and ensure children do not retrieve mail in the presence of a pet. In addition to physical harm, dog attacks on USPS workers can lead to costly repercussions for dog owners, including medical expenses, lost wages, and uniform replacement costs. If a mail carrier feels unsafe, mail delivery to the residence can be suspended until the dog is properly secured. Residents would then need to retrieve their mail from their local Post Office. In some cases, the USPS may require pet owners to rent a P.O. box to resume service. As part of its annual campaign, the USPS urges pet owners to take preventive action. 'The most important message for our customers to remember is to keep your dog secured and away from the carrier as the mail is being delivered,' Theriault said. 'Help ensure the safety of everyone in our communities.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
