CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C.,None — When a mail carrier tried to deliver a package too big for a homeowner's mailbox, she tried to drop it off at the home's front door.
But when she went to Jeremy Mayfield's house, police say she was attacked by five dogs.
The pit bull-lab mix dogs are currently in quarantine at the Catawba County Animal Shelter.
Firefighters said it was at former NACSAR driver Jeremy Mayfield's home where mail carrier Mary Bolton was attacked. Firefighters said she was hospitalized with bite marks and cuts all over her legs, arms and shoulders.
"She's a sweet woman. She helps me anytime I need help over here. It's insane. I mean it is nuts that it happened to her," said neighbor Thomas Graham.
Neighbors like Graham were stunned to hear news of the attack. Police have confirmed that Mayfield came outside to intervene, scooping up the badly injured carrier and taking her back inside the home.
The postal service declined to discuss what happened here but said more than 2000 carriers nationwide are attacked by dogs each year. The postal service says pet owners are responsible for restraining their dogs and that carriers can pursue legal if injured during an attack.
Mike Billips owns several dogs including his pit bull, Champ. He doesn't believe his dogs would hurt anyone but doesn't take any chances either.
"Like I tell everybody, take care of your animal and try to protect everybody else so your animals can't hurt them or harm done to your animal," Billips said.
The police chief in Catawba said the dogs are being quarantined for ten days because he is not sure they are up to date on rabies shots.
No decision has been made yet on what will happen to the dogs or if anyone will face charges.
WSOC
