MILPITAS, Calif. -- Dog attacks on postal workers have become a daily occurrence, and people with pets should know their damaging effects, according to the U.S. Postal Service.

That's why the Postal Service on Thursday released a picture of a Milpitas letter carrier as she appeared just after she was mauled by a pit bull while delivering mail July 14.

The picture of an injured Mai-Anh Nguyen was made public to raise awareness about the damaging consequences of a dog attack, which the Postal Service said goes beyond physical injury.

"While the cost in pain and suffering cannot be measured, medical expenses, workers compensation, legal costs, delivery curtailment, carrier replacement, and other costs associated with dog bite incidents are estimated to exceed $25 million annually," the Postal Service said in a written statement.

Nguyen, 50, was on her appointed rounds, walking on the sidewalk on Barker Street, when she was viciously attacked by a pit bull, according to the Postal Service. The USPS said vehicles in the driveway blocked her view of the dog.

The pit bull rushed from an open garage door, lunged at Nguyen and caused significant injury to her face, the USPS said.

"There was not even enough time to pull out my dog spray," Nguyen said. "It happened so fast."

Nguyen said people should mind their pets. "Keep dogs indoors and restrained," she said.

The Postal Service is also reminding the public that pet owners and homeowners can be held liable for all medical expenses and other costs if letter carriers are attacked, which it said can run into hundreds of thousands of dollars.