USPS Temporarily Suspends Delivery in California Neighborhood Amid Recent Coyote Attacks

Two residents claim mail service was paused due to safety concerns after a child was bitten by a coyote in the area

Apr. 9, 2026 at 10:53pm

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An extremely abstracted, out-of-focus photograph of a residential street at dusk, with blurred streetlights and houses in the background and a warm, hazy glow of bokeh light in the foreground, creating an atmospheric and dreamlike quality that conceptually represents the disruption to daily life caused by coyote activity in urban areas.The temporary suspension of mail delivery in a California neighborhood highlights the growing challenges posed by urban coyote populations and the need for collaborative solutions to protect both public safety and essential services.Carson Today

The United States Postal Service temporarily suspended mail delivery in a Carson, California neighborhood after a string of recent coyote attacks, including one incident where a 3-year-old child was bitten twice by a coyote while being unloaded from a vehicle. Two local residents said they received notices from USPS stating the service pause was due to safety concerns over coyote activity in the area.

Why it matters

Coyote sightings and attacks have become an increasing concern in many urban and suburban areas across the United States, leading to disruptions in daily life and services. This incident highlights the challenges postal workers and residents face when wildlife encroaches on residential neighborhoods, raising questions about how to balance public safety with continued mail delivery.

The details

According to reports, USPS confirmed they temporarily paused mail delivery in the Carson neighborhood following the recent coyote attacks. On March 31, a 3-year-old child was bitten twice by a coyote while being unloaded from a vehicle, with home surveillance footage capturing the incident. USPS initially told residents the pause was due to a dog on the property, but later clarified it was because of coyote activity. Residents said they were told the issue would need to be resolved before mail service could resume.

  • On March 31, a 3-year-old child was bitten twice by a coyote while being unloaded from a vehicle.
  • On April 8, USPS confirmed they had temporarily suspended mail delivery in the Carson neighborhood due to the coyote attacks.
  • On April 9, USPS resumed mail delivery services in the neighborhood.

The players

USPS

The United States Postal Service, the federal agency responsible for providing mail and package delivery services across the United States.

Mike Bunnell

A 73-year-old resident of Carson, California who received a notice from USPS stating mail delivery was suspended due to a dog on his property, which he said was a mistake as he does not own any pets.

Tom Williams

A longtime resident of the Carson, California neighborhood who also received a notice from USPS about the mail delivery suspension due to coyote activity in the area.

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What they’re saying

“There's no dog here. Not mine, I don't own a dog. This never happened.”

— Mike Bunnell, Resident

“They're holding us responsible for wild animals in the community here.”

— Tom Williams, Resident

What’s next

USPS has resumed mail delivery services in the Carson neighborhood as of April 9, but local officials and residents will likely continue to monitor the coyote activity and work with wildlife authorities to address the safety concerns.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the growing challenges that postal workers and residents face as coyote populations expand into urban and suburban areas. It highlights the need for coordinated efforts between government agencies, wildlife experts, and local communities to find solutions that balance public safety with the reliable delivery of essential services.