CALIFORNIA BEATS OUT TEXAS ON THE NUMBER OF DOG BITES

Of cities, Los Angeles led the nation with 69 attacks on postal carriers, San Antonio came in second with 42 attacks

Damn it, we’re losing our bragging rights, and to California of all places.

DOWN BOY: TEXAS RANKS THIRD IN MOST DOG BITES IN THE U.S.
By Jeff Balke

Houston Press Hair Balls
May 21, 2013

Being a mail carrier for the postal service must be a bitch, particularly in older neighborhoods where they have to walk up to houses instead of just driving by a mailbox. There's the heat and carrying a big pack full of mail. But, perhaps the worst part is the fear of being attacked by a dog. Any avid cyclist will tell you that riding through neighborhoods often means being approached and even chased by dogs not inside a fence or on a leash. Imagine facing that threat every day on foot.

According to a pair of reports released by the American Veterinary Medical Association, Texas is number three on the list of most dog bites in the U.S. As for the cities list, San Antonio is second, Houston comes in at #9 and Dallas ranks at #13.

The city statistics were compiled by the U.S. Postal Service based on carrier reported dog attacks. In 2012, San Antonio had 42 attacks, Houston 27 and Dallas 21. Los Angeles led the nation with 69 attacks on postal carriers.

The states are ranked based on the number of insurance claims filed in 2012 by State Farm policy holders. California leads that list as well with 451 claims totaling more than $17 million. Texas comes in third with 236 claims amounting to $4.3 million in damages.

So, the next time you are complaining about the mail, try to remember that many of the mail carriers deserve hazardous pay duty for staring down dogs on a regular basis. It should also remind dog owners to keep their dogs on a leash or inside a fence AT ALL TIMES. Letting your dog roam free is dangerous not just for those he/she might bite, but for the dog.