Postal carriers in Pittsburgh suffered 21 dog attacks in 2025, tying the city for 16th among U.S. cities, according to data released by the U.S. Postal Service. Pennsylvania ranked fifth among states with 267 incidents, behind California, Texas, Ohio and New York.
Pittsburgh’s total tied it with Memphis, Tenn., Oklahoma City and Sacramento, Calif. — and topped Philadelphia, which recorded 20 incidents. Nationwide, postal employees suffered more than 5,200 dog attacks last year, the agency said.
The rankings were released ahead of the Postal Service’s annual Dog Bite Awareness campaign, which begins Monday under the theme “Don’t turn your back on dog bite prevention.” Awareness events will be held across the country throughout June.
Owners Could Lose Delivery Service
Mail service can be temporarily suspended when a carrier feels unsafe because of a roaming dog. Until delivery resumes, residents must pick up mail at their local post office, and owners of dogs deemed dangerous can be required to rent a post office box.
Dog owners could also owe thousands of dollars for a carrier’s medical care, lost shifts and other damages if their dog attacks, the agency said.
The Postal Service advises owners to keep dogs in a separate closed room before opening the door for a carrier, leash dogs that are outdoors during delivery times, and never accept mail directly from a carrier with a dog present, since dogs can interpret the interaction as a threat.
Carriers are trained to announce themselves before entering yards, keep eyes on any dog, and use their mail satchel and dog repellent if attacked. Carrier scanners include dog warning alerts for flagged addresses.