Ohio ranks among top three states for most dog attacks on mail carriers, study finds

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Ohio ranked among the top three states where mail carriers suffered from the most dog bites in 2023, according to the United States Postal Service. 

USPS compiled data on dog attacks on its mail carriers by state, finding there were more than 5,800 canine bites overall last year, rising from about 5,300 reported in 2022. 

Ohio ranked as the state where mail carriers suffered from the third-most dog bites in the country, with 359 incidents in 2023. The state with the most dog bites was California (727), followed by Texas (411). Completing the top 10 were Pennsylvania at (334), Illinois (316), New York (296), Florida (193), North Carolina (185), Michigan (183) and Missouri (180). 

Three Ohio municipalities also made the list of top 10 cities for dog bites, with Cleveland coming in at No. 5 with 44 incidents, Cincinnati at No. 8 (38) and Columbus at No. 10 (33). The city accounting for the most dog attacks on mail carriers was Los Angeles (65), followed by Houston (56) and Chicago (48). 

“Letter carriers are exposed to potential hazards every day, none more prevalent than a canine encounter. All it takes is one interaction for a letter carrier to possibly suffer an injury,” said Leeann Theriault, a USPS manager. “The U.S. Postal Service consistently encourages responsible pet ownership.”

For dog owners to help ensure their mail is delivered safely, USPS advises them to secure their dog before the carrier approaches their property. Dogs should be kept inside the house or behind a fence, away from the door in another room or on a leash. 

A canine attack on a mail carrier can impact owners, too. The average cost per insurance claim for a dog bite was $58,545 in 2023, according to the Insurance Information Institute. The company also found Ohio filed the fifth-most dog bite claims in the United States. 

Additionally, when a postal employee suffers an injury, the owner could be responsible for medical bills, lost wages and uniform replacement costs. If the carrier feels unsafe to make a delivery due to a dog, the owner may also have to pick up the mail themselves at their local post office.