Florida Postal Worker Attacked By Dogs Dies

FLORIDA — A Florida postal worker attacked by dogs after her vehicle broke down over the weekend has died from her injuries.

"If inclined, please pray for her family and friends during their time of grief," the Putnam County Sheriff's Office posted Tuesday to Facebook.

According to the sheriff's office, the 61-year-old mail carrier was attacked by several dogs Sunday afternoon in the Interlachen Lake Estates area after her vehicle broke down.

Witnesses told deputies they heard a woman scream for help, and when they went outside they saw her on the ground with five dogs attacking.

Witnesses said several neighbors rushed to help by attempting to pull the dogs off, and one neighbor shot a rifle into the ground to scare the animals.

When deputies arrived to her location, they said they found her on the ground with severe bleeding. Five dogs were nearby inside a fence at a home in the 2000 block of Walker Drive.

Deputies said they applied tourniquets until rescue units arrived. The postal worker was taken to HCA Florida Putnam Hospital by ambulance and then flown to a trauma center in Gainesville where she later died.

The sheriff's office said animal control arrived at the scene and took custody of the five dogs identified by witnesses in the attack.

“Our hearts are with the victim and her family as they navigate through this tragic event,” Sheriff H.D. "Gator" DeLoach said in a news release. “It is imperative that dog owners take responsibility in keeping their animals in a secured location for their safety and those around.”

Deputies did not reveal the breed of the dogs in the attack or if their owner will face any charges.

According to the U.S. Postal Service, Florida is among the top 10 states in the nation for dogs biting mail carriers. Last year, 201 mail carriers in the state were bitten by dogs, the agency said.