USPS: Albuquerque named one of the worst cities for dog attacks on letter carriers

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A recent report found 39 letter carriers were attacked in New Mexico last year – and half of those attacks were in the Albuquerque metro.

In fact, Albuquerque is ranked No. 21 for dog attacks across the nation.

Letter carriers said the most helpful thing residents can do is to put themselves in their shoes.

“What would you hope that that owner does? Hopefully not open the door and let the dog that’s barking through the window run out, right?” said DeeDee Molina, who has been delivering mail across the metro for nearly two decades.

“I was kind of lucky – I say lucky because they were just puncture wounds,” Molina said. “Nothing that would require me to have stitches or anything in that manner. But not some, some carriers aren’t that lucky. They will get mauled.”

Postal Service leaders said their employees are trained how to handle all types of dogs. Officials also said injured employees are given time off to recover, and pet owners could end up facing fines – or even charges.

Nationwide, more than 5,400 postal workers were attacked by dogs last year.