Pit bull interrupts mail delivery
Mail delivery to about 16 houses in the 1300 block of Allison Avenue, Washington, was suspended indefinitely because of a dog, according to the U.S. Postal Service.
Postal officials said a pit bull chased the mail carrier on that route four times, once pinning him to the ground and another time up against a house.
An official from the Washington post office said animal control officers were called at least three times about the dog and the owner has been warned to control the animal so the carrier can safely deliver the mail.
According to the postmaster, the dog broke through the door and a front window and broke a chain trying to get to the mail carrier. A fence needs to be installed or other measures taken to secure the dog, the official said.
“Our overall goal is to provide the best delivery service possible, (yet) we must also be mindful of the welfare and safety of our delivery personnel. Therefore, we instruct our carriers not to enter an area where there is the danger of being bitten by an animal,” said postal service spokesman Tad Kelley in an email. “In some cases, delivery can be suspended for an entire street or neighborhood until the danger is eliminated.”
According to Kelley, more than 5,000 letter carriers were attacked by dogs last year.
He advised pet owners to keep dogs indoors, in another room, when the mail is delivered. He recommended that children not take mail from carriers because a dog’s instinct is to protect the family.
“Though employees often hear ‘My dog won’t bite,’ from experience and working with animal control professionals, we know, given the right circumstances, any dog can bite,” he said. “Letter carriers fearing for their safety due to a loose or unrestrained pet may curtail delivery and ask homeowners to pick up their mail at the post office until the carrier is assured the pet is restrained. In cases where carriers see the dog roaming, delivery could be curtailed to the neighborhood.”
The owner of the dog could not be reached for comment.
Mail can be retrieved at the Jefferson Avenue post office from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.