In 2024, Birmingham was one of the worst cities in the US for dog attacks on postal workers.

Birmingham tied for 20th position in the country last year with 15 dog bite incidents involving mail carriers, according to recently released data from the U.S. Postal Service. Fort Worth, Texas, and St. Petersburg, Florida, also hold this questionable distinction. Due to ties, 38 cities were included in the USPS's "top 20" list.

With an astounding 77 documented bites, Los Angeles led the country in dog attacks on mail carriers. Chicago was not far behind with 57 instances, and Houston came in second with 65.

The USPS's 2025 National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign coincides with this spike in dog-on-dog encounters. The hashtag #dog bite awareness is being used to promote this year's message, "Secure Your Dog, Keep Deliveries on Track," which serves as a call to action for safe pet ownership.

An Avoidable Danger

Dog bites are far from a harmless workplace hazard, despite the fact that they may appear to be a peculiarity of the job. For mail carriers, they may result in severe harm, psychological distress, and in certain situations, extended absences from work. Despite this, USPS officials maintain that these attacks may be avoided.

"Recognizing and promoting the responsibility of pet ownership is the greatest way to stay safe from dog attacks," stated Leeann Theriault, staff safety and health awareness manager for the USPS.

"Our message is simple: secure your dog," she continued. Assist us in maintaining delivery schedules and making sure your mail carrier arrives home safely.

How Carriers Maintain Their Safety Behind the Fence

Particularly when it comes to dogs, mail carriers are instructed to anticipate the unexpected. They are trained to respect a dog's innate territorial instincts and to be vigilant in locations where dogs may be present.

The USPS has the following rules for preventing dog attacks:

To warn a dog before it enters a yard, make a non-threatening sound or softly rattle a gate.

No matter how amiable a dog appears, you should never assume that it will not bite.

Do not startle dogs.

Always keep your eyes on the dog.

Even if a dog appears innocuous, never try to feed or pet it.

Block an outward-swinging door with your foot to keep a dog from getting out.

A mail carrier may stop delivering to an address if they feel dangerous. Residents might occasionally have to rent a P.O. Box or pick up their mail at the post office until the threat is eliminated.

The Significance of This

This is a wake-up call, not just a strange local news item. Our mail carriers are actual people who work hard in frequently uncertain circumstances; they are not merely uniformed figures who pass through our neighborhoods. Every time they get out of their truck, they should not have to fear getting bitten.

The goal of dog bite prevention is to foster mutual respect and trust between neighbors and those who provide services to them, not merely to prevent injuries. Therefore, the next time you hear the mail truck arrive, make sure your dog is securely fastened. Someone could avoid a serious injury with a few more seconds.Leash in hand, it is time to extend the same courtesy to the front yard in a city like Birmingham where neighborly care and warmth are deeply ingrained.