Audio By Carbonatix
To mark National Dog Bite Prevention Week, the U.S. Postal Service has assembled an unusual list: The top fourteen cities during fiscal 2012 when it comes to dog attacks on postal workers.
No, dogs biting mail deliverers isn’t just a staple of old sitcoms. It actually happens a lot, and Denver made the roster. The entire list is below, complete with terrifying photos that should probably be rated PWG — Postal Worker Guidance advised — plus USPS tips about avoiding bites. Check it all out below.
Number 14: Wichita, Kansas
Total attacks: 20
Number 13 (tie): Dallas, Texas, and Tacoma, Washington
Total attacks: 21
Number 12: Denver, Colorado
Total attacks: 23
Continue to keep counting down the top fourteen cities for dog attacks on postal workers.
Number 11 (tie): Buffalo and Brooklyn, New York
Total attacks: 24
Number 10 (tie): Cleveland and Dayton, Ohio
Total attacks: 26
Number 9 (tie): Houston, Texas, and Minneapolis, Minnesota
Total attacks: 27
Continue to keep counting down the top fourteen cities for dog attacks on postal workers.
Number 8: Baltimore, Maryland, and Sacramento, California
Total attacks: 29
Number 7: St. Louis, Missouri
Total attacks: 32
Number 6: Detroit, Michigan
Total attacks: 33
Continue to keep counting down the top fourteen cities for dog attacks on postal workers.
Number 5: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Total attacks: 34
Number 4: San Francisco, California
Total attacks: 38
Number 3: Chicago, Illinois
Total attacks: 41
Continue to keep counting down the top fourteen cities for dog attacks on postal workers.
Number 2: San Antonio, Texas, and Seattle, Washington
Total attacks: 42
Number 1: Los Angeles, California
Total attacks: 69
Avoiding Attacks
• Never leave a baby or small child alone with a dog.
• Don’t run past a dog. The dog’s natural instinct is to chase and catch you.
• If a dog threatens you, don’t scream. Avoid eye contact. Try to remain motionless until the dog leaves, then back away slowly until the dog is out of sight.
• Never approach a strange dog, especially one that’s tethered or confined.
• Don’t disturb a dog that is sleeping, eating or caring for puppies.
• Anyone wanting to pet a dog should first obtain permission from the owner.
• Always let a dog see and sniff you before petting the animal.
• If you believe a dog is about to attack you, try to place something between yourself and the dog, such as a backpack or a bicycle.
• If you are knocked down by a dog, curl into a ball and protect your face with your hands.
More from our Lists & Weirdness archive: “Photos: Ten favorite dog names in Colorado and more.”
