By admin 
The Golden State turns out to be not so golden when it comes to dog attacks on U.S. Postal Service carriers, the federal agency said.
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California came in at No. 1 on a list of states ranked by the number of dog attacks on postal carriers in 2025, with 673 reported attacks, the U.S. Postal Service said.
That’s nearly double the second-place finisher, Texas, which had 358 reported dog bites on postal carriers.
Here’s what you need to know:
How many postal workers were attacked by dogs in 2025?
Nationwide, more than 5,200 postal employees were attacked in 2025. More than 6,000 attacks were reported in 2024.
Other states in the top 10 for attacks last year include Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Florida, Missouri, Michigan and Indiana, the U.S. Postal Service said.
Where do California cities rank on the national list?
Sacramento came in at No. 16 on the list of top U.S. cities for dog attacks on postal carriers in 2025 with 21 reported attacks, tying with Memphis, Oklahoma City and Pittsburgh.
Los Angeles topped the list with 70 reported attacks, with San Diego, Oakland, Long Beach and San Francisco rounding out the top 33.
What to know about dogs and postal workers
“Even the most predictable pets can act unpredictably when defending territory or feeling startled,” the postal service said. “Because dogs rely on protective instincts, owners must manage their dogs during delivery times to prevent accidents.”
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Keep dogs in a separate, closed room if you are going to step outside to meet the carrier. Dogs should be on a leash outside during mail delivery.
The postal service also advised people not to take mail directly from a carrier if a dog is present because the dog may misunderstand it as an attack.
“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,” the postal service said.
The postal service also can suspend delivery to homes or neighborhoods deemed unsafe because of loose dogs.
While carriers are trained to fight off dog attacks and carry dog repellent, they may not be enough.
“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.”
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This story was originally published June 15, 2026 at 8:15 AM.