California Ranks #1 in Dog Attacks on Postal Carriers; Sacramento Among Top 20 Cities

SACRAMENTO, CA – California leads the nation in dog attacks on postal employees with 673 incidents in 2025 – nearly double the next closest state. Sacramento ranked 16th worst among U.S. cities with 21 letter carriers attacked last year. Nationwide, more than 5,200 postal employees were attacked in 2025.

What most Sacramento residents don’t know: when a carrier feels unsafe because of a roaming dog, the Postal Service can suspend mail delivery – not just to one house, but to an entire street – until it has been resolved. Neighbors must then pick up their mail at the local Post Office, and repeat offenders can be required to rent a P.O. Box.

To emphasize the seriousness of this issue, USPS is sponsoring Dog Bite Awareness Month this June with the theme: “Don’t turn your back on dog bite prevention.”

Interview Opportunity: In-studio or Zoom Guest. USPS Sacramento Postmaster or spokesperson available for in-studio or Zoom segment during the month of June. Please email: meiko.s.patton@usps.gov to set up a time.

Keep Mail Delivery Safe
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.

Dog owners should keep their dogs in a separate, closed room before opening the front door. If they step outside, they should ensure the door is firmly latched. Dogs should always be leashed if they are outdoors during mail delivery. Customers should also avoid accepting mail directly from a carrier in the presence of a dog, and children should be taught not to take mail from a carrier when a dog is nearby, as dogs can misinterpret the interaction as a threat.

Sign up for USPS Informed Delivery and See the Mail on Your Electronic Device Before It Arrives

Customers can use the free USPS Informed Delivery feature to digitally preview incoming mail and packages from a computer, tablet or mobile device. More than 70 million customers have enrolled since the service launched in 2017. Customers can sign up at informeddelivery.usps.com.

This service can also help dog owners anticipate when their carrier may arrive, giving them time to secure their pets before delivery.

The Financial and Emotional Damage of a Dog Attack

Protecting your carrier protects your wallet. If your dog attacks a postal worker, you could owe thousands of dollars out of pocket to cover their medical care, lost shifts, replacement clothing and emotional distress.

“I was walking my route when a dog jumped the fence and lunged at me,” said San Antonio Letter Carrier Fiona Hudson. “I used my dog repellent and mail bag to defend myself, but it was too late. I was rushed to the hospital bleeding, with a broken bone, a severe arm sprain and was barely able to move. While my physical wounds have healed, the trauma of that vicious attack stays with me. Customers must take responsibility and secure their dogs during delivery hours.”

Take Action: Unsecured Dogs Stop Mail Delivery

When a carrier feels unsafe because of a roaming dog, mail service can be temporarily suspended.

Until the carrier feels safe enough to restart delivery, the mail will have to be picked up at the dog owner’s local Post Office.

If a carrier feels a house or neighborhood is unsafe to deliver to and there is no way to inform residents their mail service has been suspended, the residents will have to contact the supervisor at their local Post Office for more information. The residents would also have to pick up their mail at the Post Office until it is safe to resume delivery.

If a dangerous dog issue is not resolved, owners can be required to rent a Post Office Box to receive mail.

Armed with Awareness: How Carriers Prevent Dog Bites

Postal carriers undergo extensive safety training to spot potential canine hazards. Carriers are instructed to remain vigilant and exercise the precautions below:

• Announce entry. Rattle a fence gate or make a non-threatening sound before walking into a yard.
• Maintain visual contact. Never startle an animal and always keep eyes locked on the dog.
• Assume dog poses risk Avoid petting or feeding any animal on the assumption that any dog has the potential to bite.
• Block exits. Secure outward-swinging doors with a foot to prevent a pet from escaping.

If a dog attacks, carriers are trained to stand their ground, use their mail satchel as a protective shield and deploy dog repellent if necessary. To stay ahead of these risks, USPS also provides carriers with awareness tools, including handheld scanners that feature built-in dog warning alerts and physical warning cards that are placed into mail sorting cases to alert a carrier of a dog at a certain address.

Cities and States with the Most Dog Attacks in 2025

Sacramento ranked among the top cities nationally for dog bite and dog-related incidents involving mail carriers:

These are the 10 states with the greatest number of dog bite incidents:

Dog bite awareness events will be held across the country throughout June, and USPS will share information on social media using the hashtag #dogbiteawareness.

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