Delivery Drivers Fear Dogs By Breed: 2024 Nationwide Study

Dog attacks on delivery drivers and postal workers in the United States are a significant occupational hazard, with thousands of incidents reported annually.

United States Postal Service (USPS) Employees

2023: The USPS reported over 5,800 dog attacks on its employees, an increase from approximately 5,300 incidents in 2022.

2022: Dogs attacked more than 5,300 postal workers while delivering mail.

2021: The number of attacks stood at over 5,400.

2020: More than 5,800 dog attacks were reported on postal employees.

State and City Statistics

California: Consistently leads in the number of dog attacks on postal workers. In 2023, there were 727 reported incidents, up from 675 in 2022.

Texas: Ranked second with 411 attacks in 2023.

Los Angeles: Among cities, Los Angeles reported the highest number of attacks, with 65 incidents in 2023.

Other Delivery Drivers

While specific national statistics for dog attacks on non-postal delivery drivers (such as those working for Amazon, FedEx, or UPS) are less centralized, these workers also face significant risks. For instance, UPS reports an average of 900 aggressive dog incidents resulting in yearly injuries.

Preventive Measures

To mitigate these incidents, the USPS and other delivery companies have implemented various strategies:

Employee Training: Carriers receive training on recognizing and avoiding potentially dangerous situations involving dogs.

Public Awareness Campaigns: Initiatives like the USPS’s annual National Dog Bite Awareness Week aim to educate the public on responsible pet ownership and securing dogs during mail delivery times.

Technological Solutions: Some companies are exploring the use of technology, such as wearable devices that detect the presence of dogs, to enhance driver safety.

These statistics underscore the importance of preventive measures and public awareness to protect delivery personnel from dog attacks.

Overall Fear of Dogs

Because of several factors revealed by their daily interactions with dogs, delivery drivers frequently have a heightened fear of dogs. First, because dogs are naturally territorial, they may become defensive or aggressive if a delivery person approaches what they believe to be their territory.

The frequent interactions with dogs exacerbate this phobia. Delivery drivers are more likely to encounter an aggressive dog because they visit several households daily.

The cumulative effect of these interactions might result in a general apprehension or outright terror, even if not all dogs are unfriendly. Dogs can react in various ways; some may charge, some may bark loudly, and some may even attack. Drivers must constantly be on guard due to this unpredictability, which can be mentally taxing.