The two pit bulls apparently attacked the carrier in the 800 block of Alexander Street April 13. The carrier tried to defend himself while he unsuccessfully called both the Eunice and the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office animal control units.
As the carrier used the mail bag to block himself from the dogs, he tripped and the dogs began attacking his legs and arms. A passerby ran over to help the carrier with a pipe at that point.
The Eunice animal control officer called back and responded. After that, a separate officer fired shots at one of the dogs as it began attacking him and wounded it.
Officers eventually shot and killed that dog because it apparently did not back down. The second dog ran off, but was eventually recovered by animal control.
Officers also seized a third pit bull tied up in the front yard without food or water.
The dogs’ owner, Nicole Courville, 30, of 841 Alexander St., was not home at the time but told officers she would return by Sunday. When she returned Thursday, officers met with her and arrested her.
She was charged with cruelty to animals, negligent injury and allowing dogs to run loose, which violates a city ordinance.
Courville bonded out of Eunice City Jail on $4,500. The mail carrier and police officer were treated at Acadian Medical Center for their injuries.
(Daily World - April 21, 2013)
