'Bit him up pretty good': Pit bull attacks USPS mail carrier in Des Moines

IT HAPPENED. >> WE ARE ON EAST KIRKWOOD WHICH IS ON DES MOINES SOUTHSIDE. IT IS ON THE SPOT WHERE A PITBULL GOT LOOSE, CHASED AND BIT A LETTER CARRIER. >> WEDNESDAY, WHILE DOING HIS JOB ON THIS STREET IN DES MOINES, A LETTER CARRIER HAD TO RUN. >> DOG GOTTEN OUT OF THE THIN-SKINNED YARD. IT CHASED AFTER HIM AND IT GOT A HOLD OF HIS LEG AND BIT HIM UP TO GOOD. >> THERE WERE STITCHES REQUIRED. UNFORTUNATE -- FORTUNATELY IT WAS NOT WORSE THAN THAT. >> WE TAGGED ALONG WITH OTHER LETTER CARRIERS THAT WERE DOING THEIR JOBS THURSDAY. NO DOUBT AWARE OF WHAT HAPPENED TO THEIR COWORKER NOT WANTING TO BE THE NEXT VICTIM. >> LETTER CARRIERS ARE EQUIPPED WITH DOG SPRAY AND HORN FOR PROTECTION. THEY ARE AWARE OF WARNING SIGNS AND MORNING SOUNDS. ACCORDING TO THE UNITED STATES POST OFFICE, ON THE 6000 LETTER CARRIERS ARE BITTEN OR ATTACKED BY DOGS EVERY YEAR. >> UNITED STATES POSTAL SPOKESPERSON SAYS THEY HAVE NO ISSUE WITH PEOPLE WANTING AND HAVING DOGS BUT THAT COMES WITH RESPONSIBILITY. NOTHING SIMPLE LIKE HANDING THE MAIL TO SOMEONE CAN LOOK A DOG INTO PROTECTION MODE. HE IS ASKING DOG OWNERS TO DO THE RIGHT THING. >> WE UNDERSTAND PEOPLE HAVING DOGS FOR COMPANIONSHIP AND PROTECTION. HE ARE ASKING FOR YOUR HELP. IF YOU HAVE A DOG, KEEP IT INSIDE AWAY FROM THAT LETTER CARRIER AT ALL TIMES. >> DES MOINES POLICE SAY THE DOG HAS BEEN TURNED OVER FOR QUARANTINE AND THEY TELL US CITATIONS WERE ISSUED FOR THE DOG AT LARGE AND -- PROPERTY NOT CONTAINED. THE OWNERS HAVE BEEN VER

Instead of delivering mail, a letter carrier with the United States Postal Service is at home recovering on Thursday.That's because the letter carrier was attacked by a pit bull on Wednesday."A dog had gotten out of a fenced-in yard. Chased after him. He tried to get over a fence to get away from him and bit him up pretty good," said Sgt. Paul Parizek, of the Des Moines Police Department. KCCI spent time with two different letter carriers Thursday afternoon.They carry a horn and dog spray for protection.But they are also aware of the warning signs that are posted, and the warning signs of barking dogs.A USPS spokesperson said almost 6,000 letter carriers are bitten or chased by dogs every year."We take these things very seriously," said Mark Inglett, a spokesperson for USPS.Inglett said the USPS is not against people owning dogs for companionship and protection, but wants them to be responsible."We are asking for your help. If you have a dog please keep it inside, or in the backyard restrained. And away from the letter carrier at all times," Inglett said.Click below to see more from Marcus McIntosh:

DES MOINES, Iowa —

Instead of delivering mail, a letter carrier with the United States Postal Service is at home recovering on Thursday.

That's because the letter carrier was attacked by a pit bull on Wednesday.

If you have a dog please keep it inside, or in the backyard restrained."

"A dog had gotten out of a fenced-in yard. Chased after him. He tried to get over a fence to get away from him and bit him up pretty good," said Sgt. Paul Parizek, of the Des Moines Police Department.

KCCI spent time with two different letter carriers Thursday afternoon.

They carry a horn and dog spray for protection.

But they are also aware of the warning signs that are posted, and the warning signs of barking dogs.

A USPS spokesperson said almost 6,000 letter carriers are bitten or chased by dogs every year.

"We take these things very seriously," said Mark Inglett, a spokesperson for USPS.

Inglett said the USPS is not against people owning dogs for companionship and protection, but wants them to be responsible.

"We are asking for your help. If you have a dog please keep it inside, or in the backyard restrained. And away from the letter carrier at all times," Inglett said.

Click below to see more from Marcus McIntosh:

'Bit him up pretty good': Pit bull attacks USPS mail carrier in Des Moines

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