Postal service: Los Angeles top city for letter carrier dog bites

Washington – A total of 5,879 postal employees reported being attacked by dogs in 2012, with the most incidents occurring in Los Angeles, according to a new ranking from the U.S. Postal Service.

The report, released to coincide with National Dog Bite Prevention Week (May 19-25), shows Los Angeles topped the list with 69 attacks, followed by San Antonio, Seattle, Chicago and San Francisco.

To avoid attacks, USPS offers the following advice for employees:

  • Do not run past a dog. A dog’s natural instinct is to chase.
  • Never approach a strange dog.
  • If you believe a dog is going to bite, place an object such as a backpack between yourself and the dog.
  • If knocked down by a dog, curl into a ball and protect your face with your hands.

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