The County Press

Postal carrier bitten on face by dog while making delivery




A U.S. Postal Service carrier was bitten on the face by a dog through an open window on her vehicle, like this one, while backing from a driveway in Mayfield Township. Photo by Jeff Hogan

A U.S. Postal Service carrier was bitten on the face by a dog through an open window on her vehicle, like this one, while backing from a driveway in Mayfield Township. Photo by Jeff Hogan

MAYFIELD TWP. — A U.S. Postal Service rural route carrier underwent reconstructive surgery Wednesday at a Detroit-area hospital after a large dog bit her nose while she made a delivery Dec. 9 at a home on Virginia Park Drive in Mayfield Township.

Employed at the U.S. Post Office in Lapeer since at least 2005, she has had a rural route since 2013.

The incident occurred around noon Dec. 9 when the mail carrier in her Postal Service vehicle delivered a package to a residence off Five Lakes Road. When the carrier pulled into the driveway of the residence, say officials, the homeowner exited the home. A boxer-pit bull mix dog was already outside.

When the carrier delivered the mail, she began to back her vehicle out of the driveway. The driver’s side window on the vehicle was down. The dog reportedly broke loose from the hold of the owner and jumped up into the open window and bit the mail carrier on the face, primarily on the nose.

She managed to drive herself back to the Post Office in Lapeer, controlling the bleeding with paper towel held to her nose and face.

Dave Eady, director of Lapeer County Animal Control, said an officer from the department responded to the home Monday (Dec. 10) and spoke with the dog owner. The dog, said Eady, had been vaccinated against rabies and had its other necessary shots. “We’re not really concerned about rabies,” he told The County Press.

The owner was cited by Animal Control with two civil infractions — for allowing his dog to bite someone, and also because the dog wasn’t licensed.

Eady said the homeowner was shocked that his dog lunged at and bit the postal carrier. “He said it’s never exhibited any aggressive behavior and had never done anything like that before,” he said.

The dog, following Animal Control protocol, was quarantined for 10 days where it was to be removed from contact with people and other animals in the home. There is a puppy in the home as well.

Animal Control will conduct a follow-up visit to the home. “As long as the animal is okay and there have been no other issues, we’re pretty much done… If this was an ongoing issue and we had a history there of the dog being out of control it could’ve gone to the prosecutor for review if it warrants charges,” said Eady. “We haven’t done that at this time.”

Elizabeth Najduch, strategic communications specialist for the Postal Service from its downtown Detroit office, commented, “The safety of our carriers is paramount at the U.S. Postal Service. Responsible pet ownership is critical considering that more than 6,000 mail carriers were attacked in 2017. If a carrier feels threatened by a dog, or if a dog is loose or unleashed, the owner may be asked to pick up mail at a Post Office until the carrier is assured the pet has been restrained. If a dog is roaming the neighborhood, the pet owner’s neighbors also may be asked to pick up their mail at the Post Office.”