A postal worker in Florida was left hospitalized in critical condition Sunday after allegedly being attacked by local dogs.
The 61-year-old was attacked by a group of five dogs in Interlachen, east of Gainesville, after her mail delivery truck broke down in Interlachen Lake Estates, Putnam County Sheriff’s Office told Action News Jax.
Deputies said they found the driver on the ground bleeding after the alleged attack, while the dogs were found inside a fence nearby.
Neighbors stepped in immediately to aid the driver after hearing her screams and seeing her on the ground being attacked. They pulled the dogs off the woman and shot a rifle at the ground to scare them away.
According to the United States Postal Service, more than 5,400 mail delivery drivers were attacked by dogs during their routes in 2021, with 201 occurring in Florida.
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Homeowners are advised to keep dogs “inside the house or behind a fence, away from the door or in another room or on a leash,” when a letter carrier approaches the home.
It’s not confirmed what service the woman was delivering for, but USPS drivers are generally equipped with dog alert feature tools on their handheld scanners to alert them of possible dog hazards during deliveries.
Deputies performed immediate medical aid upon arrival, including applying tourniquets while waiting for rescue units to arrive at the scene. The mail worker was taken to a local hospital before being flown to the Gainesville trauma center where she reportedly still remains.
The dogs were taken into custody by Animal Control as deputies investigate. Neighbors told News4Jax that the five dogs involved are bulldog mixes that are often spotted together without any collars or tags.
“The dogs have been a nuisance for a long time,” one neighbor told News4JAX. “They get in my garbage when I try to shoo them away. They bark and snarl at me.”
“She was real sweet,” they said of the injured mail lady. “She left apples in the mailbox for the horse and little notes here and there. She would ask how the kids were when she dropped off packages.”
Local authorities issued a warning to dog owners on the importance of ensuring their dogs keep a safe environment for everyone around. “Our hearts are with the victim and her family as they navigate through this tragic event,” Sheriff H.D. DeLoach said. “It is imperative that dog owners take responsibility in keeping their animals in a secured location for their safety and those around.”
Newsweek has contacted the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office for comment.
Dog Pack Puts Florida Mail Worker in Critical Condition After Brutal Attack
Source: Gwapo Pinoys PH
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