United States

Mail Carriers in Brooklyn Among Most Attacked by Dogs in U.S., New Ranking Finds

What to Know

  • There were 6,755 dog attacks on postal workers in the U.S. in 2016, according to the USPS
  • Among the top cities of dog attacks, Brooklyn ranked no. 22 on the list, and Flushing ranked no. 27
  • The USPS released the list in an effort to encourage dog bite prevention training

Postal workers in Brooklyn and Queens are among the most attacked by dogs in the U.S., according to the U.S. Postal Service. 

Dogs attacked mail carriers in Brooklyn 27 times in 2016, according to the annual USPS ranking of top dog attack cities released Thursday. There were 22 attacks in Flushing. 

But with Brooklyn ranking no. 22, and Flushing ranking no. 27, they're far from the most beleaguered places in the U.S. when it comes to dog attacks: Los Angeles holds the top spot, with 80 attacks reported in 2016. 

Rounding out the top five are Houston, Texas; Cleveland, Ohio; San Diego, California; and Louisville, Kentucky. 

"Even good dogs have bad days," said U.S. Postal Service Safety Director Linda DeCarlo. "Dog bite prevention training and continuing education are important to keep pet owners, pets and those who visit homes -- like letter carriers -- happy and healthy." 

USPS says the Package Pickup application on usps.com helps alert carriers to dogs on delivery routes, and even sends real-time updates if an unleashed dog is reported in a deliery area. 

USPS asks dog owners to help prevent attacks on mail carriers by keeping their pets secured and reminding children not to take mail directly from carriers in the presence of their dog, as the dog may view the letter carrier handing over mail as a threatening gesture.

Sometimes residents may be asked to pick up mail at a post office if a letter carrier feels threatened by a dog. 

The USPS says a total of 6,755 postal workers were attacked by dogs in 2016, more than 200 higher than the year before. 

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