The United States Postal Service (USPS) recently released its annual rankings of dog bite incidents across the country. The rankings, which are based on the number of reported dog bites in each state, provide an important reminder of the importance of responsible pet ownership.
The USPS reported that the number of dog bites nationwide increased by 4.5% in 2020, with a total of 6,244 reported incidents. The state with the highest number of reported dog bites was California, with 1,122 incidents. Texas, Florida, and Illinois rounded out the top four states with the most reported dog bites.
The USPS also released a list of the top 10 cities with the most reported dog bites. Los Angeles, California, topped the list with 441 reported incidents. Other cities in the top 10 included Houston, Texas; Chicago, Illinois; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The USPS also released a list of the top 10 breeds of dogs involved in reported dog bite incidents. Pit bulls were the most commonly reported breed, with 1,867 reported incidents. German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, and Rottweilers rounded out the top four breeds.
The USPS encourages pet owners to take steps to prevent dog bites, such as spaying or neutering their pets, providing proper training and socialization, and supervising their pets when they are around children or other animals. The USPS also recommends that pet owners keep their pets on a leash when in public and be aware of their pet’s body language.
The USPS’s annual dog bite rankings provide an important reminder of the importance of responsible pet ownership. By taking the necessary steps to prevent dog bites, pet owners can help keep their communities safe.