According to a news release from the U.S. Postal Service, there were 6,244 dog attacks on postal workers across the nation in 2017. That number is down by 500 in 2016. Several California cities made it to the top 17 list, the cities with the most dog bite incidents involving mail carriers. Los Angeles is number 2, San Diego at 5, Long Beach at 12, Oakland at 13, San Jose at 15, and Sacramento at 17.
USPS officials say while they are encouraged by the decrease in dog attacks on their employees, the totals are still too high. The agency has implemented several safety measures to prevent these incidents, including alerts sent out to carriers when an unleashed dog is reported in the delivery area. Since this is National Dog Bite Prevention Week, USPS kicked off several safety campaigns to create more public awareness about the dangers mail carriers endure.
California Topped Dog Attacks
In 2023, California topped the list of states with the most dog attacks on mail carriers, reporting 727 incidents. This number highlights a notable increase from the previous year. California’s dominance in this statistic can be attributed to its large population and high dog ownership rates.
Los Angeles leads the nation with 65 reported attacks on postal service workers in 2023, showcasing a significant problem in managing dog behavior in this city. Each dog bite incident can lead to substantial medical costs, with an average insurance claim for a dog bite being around $64,555, underlining the financial implications for both victims and dog owners.
California State Overview
- Total incidents in 2023: 727 dog attacks on mail carriers were reported, making California the state with the highest number of such incidents for the year.
- Comparison with Previous Years:
- 2022: 675 incidents
- 2021: 656 incidents
- This shows an increasing trend in attacks year by year.
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City-Specific Statistics for 2023
- Los Angeles:
- Number of Attacks: 65
- Rank: 1st nationally for the number of dog attacks on mail carriers.
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- Number of Attacks: 41
- Rank: 6th in the U.S. for dog attacks on mail carriers.
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- Sacramento:
- Number of Attacks: 26
- Rank: Tied for 16th in the U.S.
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- Number of Attacks: 19
- Rank: Tied for 20th in the U.S.
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- Other Notable Cities (though not all in Southern California):
- Stockton: 18 attacks, though a less detailed national ranking was provided.
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What Can the Public Do?
There are several things members of the public can do to help prevent dog bite injuries to mail carriers:
- When the carrier delivers mail or packages to your front door, put your dog in a separate room and close that door before opening the front door.
- Parents should remind their children not to take mail directly from carriers in front of the family pet as the dog may view the person handing the mail as a threatening gesture.
- Place your mailbox closer to the street so that postal carriers don’t have to venture behind a fence or a house.
- Let the mail carrier drop the mail into the mailbox. Don’t take it from them.
- Keep doors and windows secure when dogs are inside.
- Don’t let your dogs roam freely, increasing attacks
Compensation for Mail Carriers
If you are a mail carrier injured in a dog attack on the job, you may be entitled to receive workers’ compensation insurance. In addition, you may also be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against the homeowner. In many of these situations, the person’s homeowner’s insurance policy might cover your injuries and losses.
You may be able to seek compensation for damages, including medical expenses, lost income, cost of cosmetic surgery to fix scars or other disfigurements, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. A dog attack, in addition to causing physical pain, also causes significant emotional suffering. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with an experienced California dog bite lawyer to assess your legal rights and options.
Source: http://about.usps.com/news/national-releases/2018/pr18_025.htm