Mail Carrier Recovering At Home After Dog Attack

OHIO -- A mail carrier is recovering after he was attacked by a dog on Antwerp Avenue.

Michael Harris said for some reason, vicious dogs are on the loose this summer and it's a trend that needs to stop. Harris said he was delivering mail and all of a sudden a large, mixed breed dog came at him.

"All the sudden i just turned around and he was just right there and all I could do was hold my satchel out and he knocked me down," said Harris.

Harris has injuries to his hand and shoulder and will have to be off work until he heals.

Nobody answered the door of the home where Harris said the attack occurred.  Harris said animal control officers ordered the dog quarantined and the owner will have to face charges in court.

Neighbors said they are afraid of the dog because he runs loose. Stephanie Hoermle and her children said they often have to go inside the house because they don't want to get attacked. "I feel sorry for the mailman and I feel sorry that he got bit, but I would really would be sad if it was one of our children that got bit," said Hoermle.

Harris said owners need to take responsibility for their pets."Just restrain your dog, keep your dog inside, or put your dog in the back, so he can't get to mail carrier, a child, anybody could be coming up to your door."

Columbus is ranked ninth in the nation for postal dog attacks.

(ABC 6 - June 19, 2014)