San Diego Ranks Second Nationally for Dog Attacks on Letter Carriers

If you ever wondered how many dogs attacked postal workers in major American cities this was your lucky week. The U.S. Postal Service released statistics this week that highlight the U.S. cities that are the most dangerous to letter carriers. Letter carriers in Houston had the most to fear. Last year 62 letter carriers were attack by dogs in Houston, but San Diego wasn’t far behind. Tied for second with Columbus, Ohio, San Diego mail carriers were attacked a total of 45 times by dogs. Overall, though, letter carriers got off easy compared to the 4.7 million Americans who suffer dog bites each year, mostly children.

The one dog attack case that got the most attention last year involved U.S. Postal worker Hao Yun “Eddie” Lin, who was attacked by a lunging Rottweiler in Oceanside. While jumping out of the way, Lin fell to the ground, striking his head on the curb. He died a few days later.

The Postal Service reports that injuries caused by dog bites / attacks cost it nearly $1.2 million last year, which doesn’t include the pain and suffering and workers compensation expenses.

Susan Johnson, an Postal Service safety manager, to the San Diego Union Tribune that local mail carriers run into a lot of unrestricted dogs and lax owners. All letter carriers carry pepper spray, and keep track of dogs who express aggressive behaviors. Overall, almost 5,700 postal workers were attacked by dogs in 2010.

Click here to read the U.S. Postal Service press release.
Source: San Diego Union Tribune

The San Diego dog bite lawyers at Walton Law Firm offer free consultations to individuals who have been injured in all types of accidents, including automobile accidents, pedestrian injuries, dog attacks / bites, worksite injuries, pedestrian injuries, construction accidents, property injuries, and malpractice matters. Call (760) 571-5500.