As reported by U.S. Postal Service, 656 is the number of bites suffered by California postal workers in 2021. This puts California in the top spot as the most dangerous state for postal workers according to U.S. Postal Service rankings. Despite California being down 131 dog bites from 2020, California has almost double the number of bites as the second place contender, Texas.
The U.S. Postal Service has an annual National Dog Bite Awareness Week public service campaign that takes place during the 2nd second week of April each year. The intent of the campaign is to help educate people on how to restrain their dogs to help prevent upwards of 5400 postal workers from getting bit or attacked across the U.S.A.
According to the U.S. Postal Service rankings, Los Angeles is the worst city in California for dog bites and attacks. LA maintains the fourth position for postal worker dog bites in the country.
How can you help prevent and reduce dog bites for postal workers? USPS has a few recommendations when letter carriers come to your home:
- Keep the dog inside the house or behind a fence;
- Keep dogs away from the door or in another room; or
- Keep your canine friend on a leash.
- You can also sign up for Informed Delivery, a free service that informs USPS customers of their mail and packages with a digital preview that is scheduled for delivery.
Postal workers are also trained to help protect themselves:
- Not startle a dog.
- Keep their eyes on the dog.
- Never assume a dog won’t bite.
- Make some noise or rattle a fence to alert the dog if entering a yard.
- Never attempt to pet or feed a dog.
- Place their foot against an outward swinging door.