Dog bites continue to be a problem in Chicago and throughout Illinois. The city and state were featured on a U.S. Postal Service (USPS) list that ranked dog attacks nationwide. Dogs attacked more than 5,800 letter carriers in 2020. The incidents ranged from nips and bites to vicious attacks. By releasing the rankings, USPS aims to bring awareness to the serious threat that aggressive dog behavior poses to postal workers and the public.
 
How Chicago Compares to Other Cities
 
The increase in home deliveries during the COVID-19 pandemic meant there were more interactions between mail carriers and dogs in 2020. As a result, there was a higher risk for dog attacks.
 
Houston had 73 dog bite incidents in 2020, topping the list of cities with the most dog attacks among postal workers. According to the USPS rankings, Chicago was ranked second with 59 dog attacks.
 
California ranked at the top among states with the highest number of dog attacks that year, with 782. Illinois came sixth with 290, marking an increase from the 238 dog attacks reported in 2019. USPS did not specify which types of dogs attacked the most.
 
Tips for Preventing Dog Bites
 
Dog bites are preventable. Because dogs often act instinctively to protect their turf, certain human behaviors may be viewed as a threat to their territory. Following some simple tips can protect letter carriers and help keep the public safe from dog bites.
 
USPS letter carriers are trained on how to behave around dogs, including respecting their territory. They are taught to observe an area where dogs may be present. Carriers also have tools to alert them for potentially dangerous conditions on delivery routes. In case of a dog attack, postal workers are told to stand their ground and protect themselves using a mail satchel or another nearby object as a shield against the dog.
 
Certain best practices of postal workers also apply to day-to-day interactions with dogs. These precautions can help minimize the risk of dog bites that can lead to serious injuries:
 
• Avoid startling a dog.
• Do not assume a dog will not bite.
• Never attempt to pet or feed an unknown dog.
• Refrain from making direct eye contact with a dog.
 
Responsible Pet Ownership
 
The USPS highlighted the importance of responsible dog ownership in reducing the risk of dog attacks. Illinois does not have a “one bite” rule, unlike other states. Anytime a dog bite occurs in Chicago or elsewhere in the state, the dog owner carries full legal responsibility for the attack. The owner is liable for the injuries a dog bite victim suffers, as long as the person was lawfully present where the incident occurred and was behaving peaceably.
 
Most people have a general idea of when their mail will be delivered each day. Therefore, pet owners can take appropriate steps to keep interactions between their dog and the letter carrier to a minimum:
 
• Avoid having children take mail directly from a letter carrier. The dog may view the postal worker as a threat.
• Keep dogs inside the home, away from doors, behind a fence or restrained on a leash.
• Use Informed Delivery, a free postal service that provides customers with a digital preview of the mail and parcels scheduled for delivery.
 
Pursuing Compensation After a Dog Attack
 
Despite following dog attack safety protocols and taking every precaution, dog bites can and do still occur. Sometimes they happen so fast, in a matter of seconds, that it can be difficult to react.
 
Dog bites can result in serious injuries that rack up expensive medical bills. Surgery and long-term treatment may be required in some cases. The victim may have to take time off work to recover and deal with emotional trauma from the attack.
 
Under Illinois law, it is possible to file a personal injury claim to obtain damages for dog bite injuries. Compensation can include medical bills, lost income, emotional distress, and pain and suffering. Because there is a two-year time limit for filing a dog bite claim, it is important to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after a dog attack. 
 
Contact Briskman Briskman & Greenberg
 
If you or a family member suffered injuries in a dog attack, you have the right to pursue compensation for the injuries. At Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, we understand the challenges that arise after a traumatic dog bite incident. Contact us today to speak with an experienced Chicago dog bite attorney and learn about your legal options.