LA, Houston most dangerous cities for postal workers

In Los Angeles, 80 postal workers were attacked by dogs in 2016. Houston, saw 62 USPS employees bitten last year, making the city the second most dangerous city to work for the post office in the nation.

More than 6,750 dog attacks were reported nationwide.

Mark Saunders, spokesperson for U.S.P.S., classified “attacks” as instances involving charging and bites.

With 15 fewer attacks than two years ago, attacks are down in Houston, which held the No. 1 spot for USPS employee bites in three of the last seven years.

In a release, USPS safety director Linda DeCarlo discussed the agency’s dedication to both civilian’s pets’ wellbeing and their employee’s safety.

“Even good dogs have bad days. 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,” she said.

USPS also advises families to secure their pets before opening the door for a postal worker.

“Dogs have been known to burst through screen doors or plate-glass windows to attack visitors,” the release further provided.

USPS is working to improve bite statistics through their website, which currently allows customers to indicate if they have a dog, as well as alert letter carriers to any reports of unleashed animals in their delivery or pickup areas.

Here are the top 15 cities where USPS employees are most frequently attacked by dogs, according to the postal service:

Charlotte, North Carolina, and Memphis, Tennessee, tied at No. 18 on the list, as both saw 33 bites last year. Seattle, Washington, ranked No. 19.