Post Office Ranks 10 Worst Cities for Dog Bites

Carlos Dominguez knew there were potential hazards when he became a mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) several years ago. What he didn’t anticipate was that he would be bitten not once, but twice by the furry canine friends on his route in San Diego. 

Carlos Dominguez delivering mail on his route in San Diego.

Courtesy of the USPS

​“I’ve been attacked multiple times,” says Dominguez, who is also a safety captain at work. “The second incident was a bit more traumatic because it was two dogs.” 

Dominguez isn’t alone. Last year, more than 5,300 USPS employees were attacked by dogs while delivering the mail. Some of the attacks were serious enough to require medical attention, as was the case with Dominguez. He used his mail satchel to fight off one dog but didn’t see the other canine coming from behind. Within seconds he was bitten. By the time the owner realized the dogs were out, it was too late.

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“Many households have two dogs now or even three dogs. Once the dogs get out, some attack,” Dominguez says. “There’s this vision of giant furious dogs with snarling teeth attacking, but sometimes that’s not the case. It could be a big dog or a small dog.” ​

Dominguez’s situation isn’t uncommon. In fact, according to the USPS’s list of worst cities and states for dog bites, California is ground zero, with two of its cities in the top 10. Texas is a distant second, while New York rounds out the top three. ​

National Dog Bite Awareness Week

This week, the USPS is running its annual public service campaign to educate the public about the risk mail carriers face from aggressive dogs and also provide tips to keep them safe.

The USPS isn’t trying to shame their canine customers with its campaign, which is why it went with the tagline, “Even good dogs have bad days.” The blame, Dominguez says, falls squarely on the owners. “Dogs are doing their job. They are trying to protect their house. They are trying to protect their master,” he adds. “A lot of dog owners are unaware that dogs need proper training. It’s critical and valuable to spend time teaching the dog how to obey, as well as follow simple commands.”