The pit bulls that attacked a letter carrier in Laval Monday have been seized. Police say the animals are being evaluated and could be put down.
The postal workers’ union claims the attack was more serious than first thought – that the two pit bulls bit the letter carrier 14 times on the hand and on the forearm.
Rene Desjardins of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) Health and Safety Committee said it could have been much worse.
“He even bit near the neck,” he said, adding that one of the dogs went for the throat but got mostly a mouthful of uniform.
The letter carrier was making his rounds Monday morning about 10 a.m. on Mirelle St. when the two dogs bolted out of the house toward him.
Desjardins said the mailman's hand is so swollen he can't close it. The letter carrier is now off work.
“Mentally, I think he is - he was afraid, he is the traumatized,” said Desjardins.
The dogs' owner has received fines of almost $700 and the dogs have been seized, now being kept at Berger Blanc awaiting a veterinary evaluation.
“He is supposed to evaluate their social abilities and their aggressiveness,” said Laval police spokesperson Evelyne Boudreau, who said the vet's report will go one of two ways.
“The dogs are friendly enough they can be put back in the home, or the veterinarian can say that he recommends that the dogs be put down,” she said.
Desjardins said it's not the first time postal workers have had problems with the dogs at the Mireille St. Address. He said about two years ago, the dogs chased a letter carrier back into his vehicle, but no police report was ever made.
Police say it's still possible criminal charges could be laid.
“If we do get information that there might have been criminal negligence involved, there will be procedures,” said Boudreau.
Every year in Canada there are more than 500 dog bite incidents involving letter carriers.
The union is encouraging its members to carry a repellant spray.
Notices are being sent to homes in the area reminding people their pets could pose a danger to letter carriers.
Mail delivery to the Mireille St. home has been suspended indefinitely.
