A postal worker in Florida has died after being attacked by five dogs over the weekend, authorities said on Tuesday.
The 61-year old postal carrier, identified as Pamela Jane Rock, was mauled by the dogs after her vehicle broke down in Interlachen, Florida, on Sunday, according to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office. She had been hospitalized in critical condition since the attack but succumbed from her injuries on Monday, according to police.
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Witnesses told police that they heard Rock scream for help and found her on the ground with five dogs attacking her. Neighbors and the owners of the dogs intervened to try and stop the attack.
“One of the neighbors even brought his firearm along and fired several shots into the air and to the ground in an attempt to disrupt the attack,” Putnam County Sheriff Chief Deputy Col. Joseph Wells said at a news conference on Tuesday.
Neighbors and the owners were able to get the dogs off of Rock by the time law enforcement arrived, Wells said. Rock was bleeding severely after the attack and deputies provided first aid until paramedics arrived, according to the sheriff’s office.
“We believe there have been other calls for service regarding these dogs,” Wells said, who noted that it appears the dogs escaped from a fenced yard.
The animals were seized and will be euthanized, according to Wells. Authorities did not reveal the size or breed of the dogs that killed Rock.
The sheriff’s office is investigating the attack and criminal charges may be brought against the owners.
“We are in frequent communications with the state attorney’s office as we explore options as far as possible criminal cases as this case continues,” Wells said.
In a statement, the U.S. Postal Service mourned the loss of Rock.
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“A postal family member lost her life in a dog bite attack,” the USPS said in a statement on Tuesday. “The U.S. Postal Service is deeply saddened at the loss of our employee. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and her co-workers at this time.”
More than 5,400 USPS employees were attacked by dogs in 2021, according to data released by the agency in June. The USPS says that aggressive dogs pose “a serious threat to postal employees and the public,” and the agency sponsors an annual National Dog Bite Awareness Week public service campaign in June to highlight the dangers of unsecured dogs on mail routes.
