Which states had the most dog attacks on USPS mail carriers? See list

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Thousands of mail carriers across the United States were attacked by dogs in 2025, with Los Angeles topping the list for most attacks, according to a new report from the United States Postal Service.In 2025, more than 5,200 dog attacks on postal service employees were recorded, a notable decrease from 2024, when 6,000 mail carriers were attacked, per the May 28 report released ahead of National Dog Bite Awareness Week, which runs through June 30.“Every single day, our postal employees serve their communities across dynamic, fast-changing environments,” employee safety and health awareness manager Leeann Theriault said in a statement. “Preventing dog-related incidents requires constant, shared vigilance."Theriault added, "animal behaviors can change in an instant, but proactive awareness from both our carriers and the customers we serve can stop painful injuries before they ever happen."What states had the most dog bites?California recorded the highest number of dog attacks in 2025 with 673, followed by Texas with 358, according to the report. Ohio was third with 287, New York fourth with 269, and Pennsylvania fifth with 267.Los Angeles (70 incidents), Dallas (50 incidents) and Denver (45 incidents), meanwhile, ranked as the top three highest cities for dog attacks on mail carriers in 2025, according to the postal service's report.How to keep postal workers safeThe U.S. Postal Service provided several tips for how dog owners can keep mail carriers safe while they're delivering mail."Even the most predictable pets can act unpredictably when defending territory or feeling startled. Because dogs rely on protective instincts, owners must manage their dogs during delivery times to prevent accidents," USPS said.Tips include:Keep your dog separately in a closed room before opening the door to receive mail.If you step outside, ensure the door is firmly latched.Always use a leash if your dog is outdoors during mail delivery.Don't accept mail directly from a carrier while near your dog, as dogs can misinterpret the interaction as a threat.Sign up for USPS Informed Delivery to see and track mail ahead of delivery.USPS also warned that failure to secure dogs may result in the temporary suspension of delivery until the carrier feels safe enough to deliver. Until then, dog owners may have to pick up their mail themselves from their local post office.Dog Bite Awareness MonthUSPS' monthlong Dog Bite Awareness campaign kicked off Monday, June 1, with the theme of “Don’t turn your back on dog bite prevention.”“This month-long campaign helps to highlight the need for greater public awareness and responsible pet ownership to combat this problem,” Los Angeles District Manager Abraham Cooper said in a statement.Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@usatodayco.com and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.