Florida Earns Spot On Top Ten List Of States With The Most Dog Attacks

For mail carriers, it can be stressful to deliver a package to a home with a dog.

To build awareness on the danger of dog attacks, the U.S. Postal Service on Thursday put out rankings of 2021 dog attacks by State as part of National Dog Bite Awareness Week. The campaign, “The USPS Delivers for America — Deliver for Us by Restraining Your Dog," begins tomorrow, June 5th, and runs through June 11th.

Last year, over 5,400 U.S. postal employees were attacked by dogs.

The agency explained in a news release: “From nips and bites to vicious attacks, aggressive dog behavior poses a serious threat to postal employees and the public."

USPS Employee Safety and Health Awareness Manager Leeann Theriault said, “Every year, thousands of postal employees are attacked by dogs as they deliver America’s mail. And while it’s a dog’s natural instinct to protect their family and home, we ask all customers to act responsibly by taking safety precautions with their dogs while the mail is being delivered. When a carrier comes to the residence, keep the dog inside the house and away from the door — or behind a fence on a leash — to avoid an attack.”

The agency encourages owners to secure dogs inside the house or behind a fence before the mail carrier comes.

Francisco Juarez is a letter carrier who delivers in Houston. He said, “I was bit by a dog on my leg recently, and my mail satchel helped shield me. The sound of a dog barking while on my route puts me on high alert, and I try to be ready to protect myself.”

The city that had the highest amount of dog bites last year was Cleveland, Ohio, with a total of 58 dog bits.

Check out the top ten states: