By — Justin Scuiletti Justin Scuiletti Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/houston-tops-list-dog-attacks-postal-workers Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Houston tops list of dog attacks on postal workers Nation May 14, 2014 6:36 PM EDT Dogs had a bone to pick with Houston postal workers in 2013. On Wednesday, the United States Postal Service released its annual list of top cities where dogs frequently attack postal workers. Houston topped the list with a total of 63 attacks on its employees. Los Angeles came in second and Cleveland third with 61 and 58 attacks respectively. The list was released as the USPS launches into National Dog Bite Prevention Week, May 18 to 24, which aims to raise awareness of dog attacks and spread important safety tips. Part of the goal is to also emphasize responsibility of the dogs’ owners in the prevention of attacks. “There’s a myth we often hear at the Postal Service,” said Postal Service manager of safety Linda DeCarlo. “Don’t worry -– my dog won’t bite. Dog attacks are a nationwide issue and not just a postal problem.” The USPS says that nearly 5,600 postal workers were attacked by dogs in 2013 and that 4.5 million people are bitten annually in the United States. Safety tips suggested by the Postal Service include: Obedience training can teach dogs proper behavior and help owners control their dog in any situation. When the letter carrier comes to your home, keep your dog inside, away from the door, in another room, or on a leash. Dogs can be protective of their territory and may interpret the actions of letter carriers as a threat. Please take precautions when accepting mail in the presence of your pet. Dogs that haven’t been properly socialized, receive little attention or handling, or are left tied-up for long periods of time frequently turn into biters. Dog bites/attacks on USPS workers by city, 2013: Houston, Texas — 63 Los Angeles, California — 61 Cleveland, Ohio — 58 San Diego, California — 53 Chicago, Illinois — 47 Baltimore, Maryland — 46 Dallas, Texas — 45 Denver, Colorado — 41 Columbus, Ohio — 39 Kansas City, Missouri — 33 Minneapolis, Minnesota — 32 Phoenix, Arizona Portland, Oregon — 31 Sacramento, California — 30 Indianapolis, Indiana — 29 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Seattle, Washington St. Louis, Missouri — 28 Cincinnati, Ohio — 26 Fort Worth, Texas San Jose, California Charlotte, North Carolina — 25 Miami, Florida — 23 Fresno, California — 22 Long Beach, California Oakland, California San Antonio, Texas Wichita, Kansas Detroit, Michigan — 21 Jacksonville, Florida — 20 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma San Francisco, California Tulsa, Oklahoma Memphis, Tennessee — 19 Brooklyn, New York — 18 Rochester, New York Washington, D.C. — 17 Pittsburg, Pennsylvania — 16 Austin, Texas — 15 Louisville, Kentucky Baton Rouge, Louisiana — 14 El Paso, Texas Flushing, New York Springfield, Missouri Bakersfield, California — 13 Dayton, Ohio Fort Wayne, Indiana Las Vegas, Nevada New Orleans, Louisiana Van Nuys, California Atlanta, Georgia — 12 Aurora, Colorado Milwaukee, Wisconsin San Juan, Puerto Rico Youngstown, Ohio Cedar Rapids, Iowa — 11 Des Moines, Iowa Evansville, Indiana Richmond, California Richmond, Virginia Salt Lake City, Utah Santa Ana, California We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now By — Justin Scuiletti Justin Scuiletti Justin Scuiletti is the digital video producer at PBS NewsHour. @JSkl
Dogs had a bone to pick with Houston postal workers in 2013. On Wednesday, the United States Postal Service released its annual list of top cities where dogs frequently attack postal workers. Houston topped the list with a total of 63 attacks on its employees. Los Angeles came in second and Cleveland third with 61 and 58 attacks respectively. The list was released as the USPS launches into National Dog Bite Prevention Week, May 18 to 24, which aims to raise awareness of dog attacks and spread important safety tips. Part of the goal is to also emphasize responsibility of the dogs’ owners in the prevention of attacks. “There’s a myth we often hear at the Postal Service,” said Postal Service manager of safety Linda DeCarlo. “Don’t worry -– my dog won’t bite. Dog attacks are a nationwide issue and not just a postal problem.” The USPS says that nearly 5,600 postal workers were attacked by dogs in 2013 and that 4.5 million people are bitten annually in the United States. Safety tips suggested by the Postal Service include: Obedience training can teach dogs proper behavior and help owners control their dog in any situation. When the letter carrier comes to your home, keep your dog inside, away from the door, in another room, or on a leash. Dogs can be protective of their territory and may interpret the actions of letter carriers as a threat. Please take precautions when accepting mail in the presence of your pet. Dogs that haven’t been properly socialized, receive little attention or handling, or are left tied-up for long periods of time frequently turn into biters. Dog bites/attacks on USPS workers by city, 2013: Houston, Texas — 63 Los Angeles, California — 61 Cleveland, Ohio — 58 San Diego, California — 53 Chicago, Illinois — 47 Baltimore, Maryland — 46 Dallas, Texas — 45 Denver, Colorado — 41 Columbus, Ohio — 39 Kansas City, Missouri — 33 Minneapolis, Minnesota — 32 Phoenix, Arizona Portland, Oregon — 31 Sacramento, California — 30 Indianapolis, Indiana — 29 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Seattle, Washington St. Louis, Missouri — 28 Cincinnati, Ohio — 26 Fort Worth, Texas San Jose, California Charlotte, North Carolina — 25 Miami, Florida — 23 Fresno, California — 22 Long Beach, California Oakland, California San Antonio, Texas Wichita, Kansas Detroit, Michigan — 21 Jacksonville, Florida — 20 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma San Francisco, California Tulsa, Oklahoma Memphis, Tennessee — 19 Brooklyn, New York — 18 Rochester, New York Washington, D.C. — 17 Pittsburg, Pennsylvania — 16 Austin, Texas — 15 Louisville, Kentucky Baton Rouge, Louisiana — 14 El Paso, Texas Flushing, New York Springfield, Missouri Bakersfield, California — 13 Dayton, Ohio Fort Wayne, Indiana Las Vegas, Nevada New Orleans, Louisiana Van Nuys, California Atlanta, Georgia — 12 Aurora, Colorado Milwaukee, Wisconsin San Juan, Puerto Rico Youngstown, Ohio Cedar Rapids, Iowa — 11 Des Moines, Iowa Evansville, Indiana Richmond, California Richmond, Virginia Salt Lake City, Utah Santa Ana, California We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now