A new USPS report shows more than 5,200 dog attacks on postal workers in 2025, down from about 6,000 the year before. California recorded the most statewide attacks, and Los Angeles led cities—fueling a Dog Bite Awareness campaign urging dog owners to secure p
Los Angeles mail carriers didn’t just face the usual hazards of busy streets and fast-changing neighborhoods in 2025—they faced something far more direct: dogs.
The U.S. Postal Service’s latest report. released May 28 ahead of National Dog Bite Awareness Week running through June 30. says Los Angeles recorded the most dog attacks on mail carriers with 70 incidents. For thousands of workers delivering under unpredictable conditions. the message from the postal service was blunt: prevention has to happen every day. not after someone gets hurt.
USPS recorded more than 5,200 dog attacks on postal service employees in 2025, a decrease from 2024, when 6,000 mail carriers were attacked. The report came with an internal warning that dog behavior can shift “in an instant. ” pushing the responsibility for safety onto both carriers and the customers they serve.
Employee safety and health awareness manager Leeann Theriault said in a statement that postal employees “serve their communities across dynamic. fast-changing environments” and that preventing dog-related incidents requires “constant. shared vigilance.” She added that “animal behaviors can change in an instant. ” and that proactive awareness from carriers and customers can stop injuries before they happen.
California led the states
When the postal service broke down where attacks were most common, California sat at the top. The report lists 673 dog attacks on postal service employees in 2025 in California.
Texas ranked second with 358 incidents, followed by Ohio with 287. New York came next with 269, and Pennsylvania rounded out the top five with 267.
Cities with the most incidents were a smaller picture—but a sharp one. Los Angeles recorded 70 incidents, Dallas recorded 50, and Denver recorded 45, the top three highest cities for dog attacks on mail carriers in 2025.
For USPS, the numbers are not just statistics. They also translate into disrupted deliveries, injuries that can change lives, and heightened uncertainty for workers who have to approach doors day after day.
Keeping carriers safe, USPS says
Alongside the report, USPS laid out steps intended for dog owners who want mail to arrive safely.
The postal service said even the most predictable pets can act unpredictably when defending territory or feeling startled, and because dogs rely on protective instincts, owners must manage their dogs during delivery times to prevent accidents.
Its tips were specific:
Keep your dog separately in a closed room before opening the door to receive mail.
If you step outside, ensure the door is firmly latched.
Always use a leash if your dog is outdoors during mail delivery.
Don’t accept mail directly from a carrier while near your dog, as dogs can misinterpret the interaction as a threat.
Sign up for USPS Informed Delivery to see and track mail ahead of delivery.
USPS also warned that failure to secure dogs may result in the temporary suspension of delivery until the carrier feels safe enough to deliver. In those cases, dog owners may have to pick up their mail themselves from their local post office.
Campaign aimed at the month ahead
This push isn’t confined to the week-long awareness window. USPS’ monthlong Dog Bite Awareness campaign kicked off Monday, June 1, with the theme “Don’t turn your back on dog bite prevention.”
Los Angeles District Manager Abraham Cooper said in a statement that the campaign is meant to highlight the need for greater public awareness and responsible pet ownership to combat the problem.
USPS dog attacks mail carriers Los Angeles California Leeann Theriault National Dog Bite Awareness Week Dog Bite Awareness campaign Informed Delivery