Dog attacks spike as USPS reports over 6,000 incidents last year
- In 2024, the U.S. Postal Service recorded over 6,000 dog attacks on mail carriers, a 5% increase from 2023.
- The Midwest experienced the most attacks, with six states reporting the highest rates adjusted for household numbers.
- The Postal Service advises pet owners to promote responsible ownership to help protect mail carriers.
In the United States, dog attacks on postal workers reached an alarming high in 2024, with the United States Postal Service reporting more than 6,000 incidents, marking the most attacks in seven years. This surge represents a 5% increase from the previous year and a significant 15% rise compared to 2022. A notable concentration of these attacks occurred in the Midwest, which not only recorded the highest overall numbers but also had an average rate of 5.24 dog attacks per 100,000 households, vastly surpassing other regions. The states with the most incidents included Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Ohio. Postal workers across the country, over 300,000 of them, deliver mail to numerous homes every day, facing an ongoing risk of dog-related incidents, which can result in both emotional trauma and financial costs. In fact, the average insurance claim for dog bites in 2024 approached a staggering $70,000. The Postal Service takes these incidents seriously and has launched its National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign to educate both mail carriers and pet owners on best practices for ensuring safety. The campaign emphasizes the importance of responsible pet ownership, urging owners to secure their dogs and not to let them roam freely. David Coleman, a spokesperson for the Postal Service, highlighted the instinctual nature of dogs, which can lead to unpredictable behavior. Concerns are further amplified by the tragedy of a mail carrier who died in 2022 after being mauled by five dogs, echoing the serious implications of dog attacks. Despite these challenges, a significant portion of American households owns dogs, which complicates the situation for mail carriers. In addition to the campaign, the Postal Service has adopted guidelines that involve carrying dog repellant and maintaining distance from dogs during deliveries. As the number of dog-related incidents continues to rise, it underscores the need for comprehensive measures to protect both postal workers and pet owners.