Los Angeles and California Rank High in USPS List of Dog Attacks on Postal Workers

Los Angeles and California are both ranked high in the U.S. Postal Service’s list of dog attacks on postal workers in 2021. According to a KTLA news report, USPS released the rankings of 2021 dog attacks by city as part of National Dog Bite Prevention Week. Los Angeles was listed fourth on the list of 32 cities with 44 USPS employees being attacked by dogs in 2021. California was the first among states with 656 dog attacks.

A Danger for Postal Workers

The report stated that more than 5,400 mail carriers were attacked by dogs in the United States in 2021. The types of attacks ranged from “nips and bites to vicious attacks,” the agency said in a news release. The theme of this year’s campaign which runs through June 11 is “The USPS Delivers for America – Deliver for Us by Restraining Your Dog.” Officials say each year, thousands of postal employees are victims of dog attacks as they deliver mail. The best way to prevent these attacks is for dog owners to keep their pets inside the house and away from the door, officials say. Dogs are instinctively territorial and protective of their owners and their property. Defending its territory might sometimes mean attacking a mail carrier. Dog bites may result in injuries to the carriers and costly medical expenses for dog owners, the Postal Service said. Carriers have a dog alert feature tool on their handheld scanners to remind them of a possible dog hazard on their routes. When a carrier feels unsafe mail service could be halted, not just for the dog’s owner, but for the entire neighborhood, according to USPS. Service might not be restored until the dog is properly secured, the agency said.

Compensation for Dog Bite Victims

Under California law, dog bite victims can seek compensation for the injuries, damages and losses they have sustained from negligent dog owners. California has a strict liability statute when it comes to dog bite cases. California’s Civil Code Section 3342 states: “The owner of any dog is liable for the damages suffered by any person who is bitten by the dog while in a public place or lawfully in a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owner’s knowledge of such viciousness.” In such cases, victims can seek compensation for damages including medical expenses, lost wages, hospitalization, cost of rehabilitation, cosmetic surgery scarring and disfigurement, permanent injuries, pain and suffering and emotional distress. Victims would be well advised to contact an experienced Los Angeles dog bite lawyer who will remain on their side, fight for their rights and make sure that their legal rights and best interests are protected. Source: https://ktla.com/news/local-news/l-a-sees-4th-most-dog-attacks-on-usps-postal-workers-ca-ranked-1st-among-states/