Caldwell County postal worker airlifted to hospital after dog attack

CALDWELL COUNTY, N.C. — A postal worker in Caldwell County was seriously hurt after being attacked by two large dogs while delivering mail, according to Caldwell County Animal Care Enforcement.

It happened along Norwood Street on Thursday in Lenoir when Kristi Reinheardt Goldsberry, 47, was delivering a package to a home.

Channel 9′s Dave Faherty learned Friday that Goldsberry was seriously hurt in the attack and was airlifted to the hospital. She received a severe trauma to her right forearm and puncture wounds to her back and right leg.

The attack happened on the dog owners’ property after she had opened the door.

Two Great Danes, believed to weigh as much as 130 pounds each, were initially inside the home when the mail carrier went to the front door, officials said. The dogs then managed to get outside and attack the worker. The owner of the dogs stated the dogs are four years old and have never bitten anyone before.

Both dogs were up to date on their rabies vaccinations and are now under quarantine. The owner surrendered the dogs at the animal center, Faherty learned.

“This was not a provoked attack. She wasn’t doing anything out of the ordinary. She was just delivering the mail,” said Caldwell County Animal Care Director Richard Gilliland. “Once the dogs did attack the postal worker, the owner was able to gain access to the dogs and secure them back in the residence and render aide to the postal worker.”

Animal Care Services is now working closely with the Lenoir Police Department. Because of the nature of the attack, the dogs will not be adopted.

Neighbor Glenn Herman said he often saw the dogs inside the fenced backyard where warning signs are posted.

Herman said he never had issues with the Great Danes, even going right up to the fence line.

“I’ve been out and walked over there and reached through the fence and petted the dogs,” Herman told Channel 9 on Friday. “I mean, they weren’t vicious to me.”

Mail carrier Rachel Duncan told Channel 9 about the precautions she takes with canines on her route.

“When I pull in a driveway, I blow the horn and try to make all kinds of noise or distractions to see if there are any dogs that may come out,” Duncan said.

It is unlikely any charges will be filed, according to police.

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