Chicago ranks among top U.S. cities for dog attacks on postal workers, data shows

LOS ANGELES (KTLA/WGN) – 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.

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. Illinois ranked fourth among US states, with 344 dog bite incidents.

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.”