Postal Service Names Top Cities and States for Dog Attacks on Mail Carriers

 

Last year, U.S. Postal Service employees suffered more than 5,200 dog attacks. To combat this, USPS is sharing vital safety guidance to help pet owners protect mail carriers and ensure uninterrupted mail delivery.

A monthlong Dog Bite Awareness campaign begins Monday, June 1, with the theme of "Don't turn your back on dog bite prevention."

"Every single day, our postal employees serve their communities across dynamic, fast-changing environments," said Leeann Theriault, employee safety and health awareness manager. "Preventing dog-related incidents requires constant, shared vigilance. This campaign reinforces a vital truth: Animal behaviors can change in an instant, but proactive awareness from both our carriers and the customers we serve can stop painful injuries before they ever happen."

Keep Mail Delivery Safe: Tips for Dog Owners

Even the most predictable pets can act unpredictably when defending territory or feeling startled. Because dogs rely on protective instincts, owners must manage their dogs during delivery times to prevent accidents. Keep your dog in a separate closed room before opening the front door. If you step outside, ensure the door is firmly latched. Always use a leash if your dog is outdoors during mail delivery. Finally, never accept mail directly from a carrier in the presence of your dog, and teach children to avoid doing so, as dogs can misinterpret the interaction as a threat.

Sign up for USPS Informed Delivery and See the Mail on Your Electronic Device Before It Arrives

By using the free Informed Delivery feature, customers can digitally preview incoming mail and packages from a computer, tablet or mobile device. Over 70 million customers have enrolled since the service was launched in 2017. Sign up at informeddelivery.usps.com. This service can help dog owners anticipate when their carrier might arrive.

The Financial and Emotional Damage of a Dog Attack

Protecting your carrier protects your wallet. If your dog attacks a postal worker, you could owe thousands of dollars out of pocket to cover their medical care, lost shifts, replacement clothing and emotional distress.

"I was walking my route when a dog jumped the fence and lunged at me," said San Antonio Letter Carrier Fiona Hudson. "I used my dog repellent and mail bag to defend myself, but it was too late. I was rushed to the hospital bleeding, with a broken bone, a severe arm sprain and was barely able to move. While my physical wounds have healed, the trauma of that vicious attack stays with me. Customers must take responsibility and secure their dogs during delivery hours."

Take Action: Unsecured Dogs Stop Mail Delivery

When a carrier feels unsafe because of a roaming dog, mail service can be temporarily suspended.

Until the carrier feels safe enough to restart delivery, the mail will have to be picked up at the dog owner's local Post Office.

If a carrier feels a house or neighborhood is unsafe to deliver to and there is no way to inform residents their mail service has been suspended, the residents will have to contact the supervisor at their local Post Office for more information. The residents would also have to pick up their mail at the Post Office until it is safe to resume delivery.

If a dangerous dog issue is not resolved, owners can be required to rent a Post Office Box to receive mail.

Armed with Awareness: How Carriers Prevent Dog Bites

Postal carriers undergo extensive safety training to spot potential canine hazards. Carriers are instructed to remain vigilant and exercise the precautions below:

• Announce entry. Rattle a fence gate or make a non-threatening sound before walking into a yard.
• Maintain visual contact. Never startle an animal and always keep eyes locked on the dog.
• Assume dog poses risk Avoid petting or feeding any animal on the assumption that any dog has the potential to bite.
• Block exits. Secure outward-swinging doors with a foot to prevent a pet from escaping.

If a dog attacks, carriers are trained to stand their ground, use their mail satchel as a protective shield and deploy dog repellent if necessary. To stay ahead of these risks, USPS also provides carriers with awareness tools, including handheld scanners that feature built-in dog warning alerts and physical warning cards that are placed into mail sorting cases to alert a carrier of a dog at a certain address.

Cities and States with the Most Dog Attacks in 2025

For the 2025 dog attack rankings in your specific city or town, contact your local USPS Corporate Communications representative at about.usps.com/newsroom/media-contacts/local.htm.

These 33 cities are the top 20 localities with the greatest number of dog bite incidents:

2025 Dog Bite/Dog Incident Data
	City	Number of Incidents	Ranking
1	LOS ANGELES	70	1
2	DALLAS	50	2
3	DENVER	45	3
4	HOUSTON	44	4
5	CHICAGO	43	5
6	ST. LOUIS	40	6
7	INDIANAPOLIS	35	7
8	SAN DIEGO	32	8
9	SAN ANTONIO	31	9
10	CLEVELAND	30	10
11	KANSAS CITY, MO	30	10
12	CINCINNATI	29	11
13	MINNEAPOLIS	29	11
14	OAKLAND, CA	27	12
15	PHOENIX	27	12
16	COLUMBUS, OH	26	13
17	DETROIT	24	14
18	LOUISVILLE, KY	23	15
19	MEMPHIS, TN	21	16
20	OKLAHOMA CITY	21	16
21	PITTSBURGH	21	16
22	SACRAMENTO, CA	21	16
23	FORT WORTH, TX	20	17
24	LONG BEACH, CA	20	17
25	MILWAUKEE	20	17
26	PHILADELPHIA	20	17
27	PORTLAND, OR	20	17
28	DAYTON, OH	19	18
29	JACKSONVILLE, FL	19	18
30	OMAHA, NE	17	19
31	MIAMI	16	20
32	ROCHESTER, NY	16	20
33	SAN FRANCISCO	16	20

These are the 10 states with the greatest number of dog bite incidents:

2025 Dog Bite/Dog Incident Data
	State	Number of Incidents	Ranking
1	California	673	1
2	Texas	358	2
3	Ohio	287	3
4	New York	269	4
5	Pennsylvania	267	5
6	Illinois	260	6
7	Florida	183	7
8	Missouri	182	8
9	Michigan	174	9
10	Indiana	159	10

Dog bite awareness events will be held across the country throughout June, and USPS will share information on social media using the hashtag #dogbiteawareness.

FRISKIES AND SOCCER ICON BRANDI CHASTAIN KICK-OFF THE SUMMER OF SOCCER WITH 1 MILLION CAN GIVEAWAY

 

 Soccer players and cats have a lot in common. The instincts, the drive, the occasional disregard for rules. Now Friskies, America's #1 cat food brand and an official partner of U.S. Soccer, is bringing that energy to the pitch with the launch of Certified Frisky on the Field, a summer-long celebration of soccer and cats that will give away 1 MILLION cans of Friskies wet cat food. Cats everywhere are very pleased.

From May 31 through July 19, when the U.S. Men's National Team (USMNT) scores a goal and the on-field celebration captures that unmistakable cat-like spirit – the leaps, the slides, the explosive energy – Friskies will officially stamp it Certified Frisky and trigger a giveaway for fans, plus a donation to cats in need. A goal for the USMNT means cats everywhere score.

Here's how it works*:

• Anytime a USMNT player scores a goal during a match from May 31 to July 19, Friskies will fire off a Certified Frisky Alert on its Instagram (friskies) and TikTok (friskies_us) accounts to announce that it's go-time.
• Fans have 30 minutes from the time of the goal to claim a free $10 coupon for Friskies wet cat food on the MyPurina app, while supplies last. Keep that app ready.
• The first USMNT goal of the match also triggers a 100,000-meal donation to cats in need at shelters in match cities. So, whether you're a soccer fan or a cat person, you've got a reason to cheer. 

To launch Certified Frisky on the Field, Friskies is teaming up with former U.S. Women's National Team member, lifelong soccer fan, and self-described cat grandma, Brandi Chastain – whose legendary 'tarps off' goal celebration is, objectively, the original Certified Frisky soccer moment.

"Soccer players and cats share the same energy – they're fearless and they do everything on their own terms," said Brandi Chastain. "If my 1999 celebration taught me anything, it's that the best moments are the ones you can't plan for and when the pure, instinctive joy just takes over. That's what Friskies is celebrating this summer."

Certified Frisky on the Field is the first major activation of the brand's' new Certified Frisky platform – Friskies' official stamp of approval on the boldest, most joyful, most undeniable cat-like moments in culture today. Through real-time cultural moments and content built for the cat-obsessed, Certified Frisky gives Friskies a home wherever big cat energy lives.

"As an official partner of U.S. Soccer, Friskies is going all-in on supporting the USMNT and celebrating every electric moment on the pitch with fans," said Jason Dolan, Brand Director, Friskies. "With Certified Frisky on the Field, every goal this summer is more than just a goal – it's a celebration of cat-like attitude and a win for cat lovers and cats in need, too."

Ready to play? Download the MyPurina app and follow Friskies on Instagram or TikTok to catch every Certified Frisky Alert during USMNT matches from May 31 through July 19. Keep the app ready because when the men's team scores, cat lovers everywhere score.

*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open to 50 U.S. & D.C., 18+ (19+ in AL & NE) who are registered myPurina App rewards members. Starts 12:00:00 AM CT on 5/31/26 until 11:59:59 PM CT on 7/19/26. No purchase necessary. Open in US/18+ (19+ in AL & NE). Ends 7/19/26. See rules at purina.com/certifiedfrisky. Void where prohibited. Sponsor: Nestlé USA, Inc.

Jim Beam Teams Up with Artist, That Lawn Dude, and US Soccer Legend Tim Howard to Bring "Home Field Advantage" to Fans Nationwide Ahead of the World's Biggest Tournament

 

Jim Beam®, the world's number one bourbon and Official Spirit Sponsor of the U.S. Soccer Federation® (USSF), launches the next chapter of its "Home Field Advantage" campaign: a national call for fans to show up and rally behind the U.S. Men's National Team (USMNT).

The campaign begins at Jim Beam's distillery in Clermont, Kentucky, where Kentucky-native lawn artist Chase Steson, known as That Lawn Dude, brings "Home Field Advantage" to life. Using his signature precision mow style, Steson carved a massive message of support into the distillery grounds. With a backdrop of Jim Beam's iconic barn, the installation is bold in scale and unmistakably American in spirit, serving as a rallying cry for fans of soccer's biggest stage.

"The lawn is my medium, and Jim Beam gave me the ultimate canvas - their own home field," said Steson. "This one is for the USMNT and for every fan out there who wants to show up for the team. If I can inspire even one person to grab their mower, flowers, chalk, spray paint - whatever they've got - and put their support for the team out into the world, we've done something real."

Today's activation is the latest chapter in Jim Beam's journey to the pitch, which began with the brand's 'Home Field Advantage' campaign spot earlier this Spring, featuring American soccer legend Tim Howard, who spent his career playing in some of the loudest, most electric stadiums on the planet. Howard knows firsthand that fan energy doesn't stay in the stands.

"Jim Beam understands the power of fan energy and how it can fuel a team," commented Howard. "I've played in front of packed stadiums, and I can tell you firsthand that the players on the field know when the whole country is behind them. That energy builds, travels, and makes a real impact. That's what Jim Beam is tapping into with this campaign. You don't have to be in the stadium - you just have to show up. Mow a message into your lawn, write it on your window, and shout it from your stoop. The team will feel it."

"At Jim Beam, we know fans are the ones who create the atmosphere that makes this tournament special," said Regan Clarke, vice president of American Whiskey at Suntory Global Spirits. "Whether it's gathering with friends, decorating your space, or showing support in your own way, we want to bring energy to fans wherever they are and encourage them to create their own home field advantage."

Fans can join the movement by sharing their own "Home Field Advantage" displays by tagging @JimBeamOfficial on Instagram and enter at HomeField.JimBeam.com for a chance to win a special "Home Field Hosting Haul" kit. 

The road doesn't stop in Kentucky. Jim Beam will be in Chicago for the USMNT send-off match next month, followed by a third stop in Venice Beach. Fans are invited to follow along on @JimBeamOfficial and keep an eye out for exciting reveals in both cities throughout match weekends.

However fans are watching, Jim Beam has them covered. Consumers can order the 2026 limited-edition Jim Beam x USSF bottle, mix up a Beam & Lemonade, and toast to the team from wherever you are.

In the lead-up to the tournament, Jim Beam will roll out a fully integrated campaign across digital, social and experiential platforms, with consumer activations designed to deepen engagement and drive fan participation nationwide.

The campaign will run across select cable channels, YouTube TV, Roku, Netflix, ESPN+, Peacock, Meta & Reddit.

Chili's® and Lizzo Drop a New Take on the Iconic Baby Back Ribs Jingle that Pays Homage to the Original Commercial

 

 Chili's Grill & Bar is celebrating the recent updates made to its popular ribs with a new take on its most recognizable tune — the Baby Back Ribs jingle. Together with four-time Grammy® Award and Emmy® Award-winning artist and longtime Chili's superfan, Lizzo, the song gets a bold new take, co-written and co-produced by the artist, alongside a video that blends Chili's signature energy with Lizzo's unmistakable, upbeat sound.

The video shows Lizzo adding her own voice to the classic, including shot-for-shot references that call back to the original spot that first got "I want my baby back, baby back…" stuck in everyone's heads. Things quickly get quintessentially-Lizzo, though, as the accomplished artist and classically trained flautist busts out a flute custom designed to look like a Chili's Baby Back Rib. From there, Lizzo further infuses her distinctive style with an all-new verse that puts a spin on what "baby back, baby back" can mean.

Alongside the remix, Lizzo also recorded an acapella rendition of the original, staying true to the classic everyone knows and loves, with the artist performing every part herself.

"Weekends at Chili's were a huge part of my childhood and I've stayed a fan — you may have even seen me dress up as a Fried Mozzarella cheese pull on Halloween — so when they reached out about collaborating, I couldn't say yes fast enough," said Lizzo. "I don't think there's a more memorable jingle, so when putting my own spin on it, I really wanted to honor that history while also making it feel fun and very me."

Chili's Baby Back Ribs have been a menu mainstay for decades and, like all great hits, they've evolved over time. The brand's recently upgraded Baby Back Ribs are now available as meatier, full- or half-rack portions that give guests up to 50% more ribs, finished with a new caramelized barbecue sauce crust. Since hitting menus, Chili's is serving more ribs to guests — proving fans are more obsessed than ever.

"When we refreshed our ribs, our goal was to give guests more of what they love without straying too far from where we started," said George Felix, Chili's Chief Marketing Officer. "And with a jingle that has lived in pop culture for decades — in movies, on TV, and in people's heads — we knew the refresh had to do it justice. Lizzo nailed it by bringing something familiar and beloved into the moment with her signature creativity and energy." 

Both versions of the jingle are now live on YouTube, giving longtime fans and new audiences alike a new way to experience a song that's been stuck in America's head for decades.

Starting today, My Chili's rewards members can also enter an exclusive giveaway for a chance to win a limited-edition t-shirt signed by Lizzo and a Chili's gift card (contest rules). Lizzo recently released the title track to her forthcoming album releasing on June 5, which can be pre-ordered here.

Fans can head to their local Chili's to experience the upgraded Baby Back Ribs for themselves — just don't be surprised if you leave humming, "I want my baby back, baby back…" For more information or to find a Chili's near you, visit chilis.com.