The fate of two pit bulls that attacked a mailman in a neighbourhood north of Montreal on Monday is still up in the air. The dogs were seized from their owners and are awaiting an evaluation of their social abilities and aggressiveness by a veterinarian. The letter carrier was bitten 14 times on the hand and the forearm during his rounds on Mirelle St. in the district of Laval.
Laval police spokesperson, Evelyn Boudreau, says the vet’s decision could determine whether or not the pit bulls are euthanized.
“The dogs are friendly enough they can be put back in the home, or the veterinarian can say that he recommends that the dogs be put down,” she told CTV Montreal.
The dogs’ owners have already received fines totaling almost $700 and criminal charges could still be laid.
“If we do get information that there might have been criminal negligence involved, there will be procedures,” Boudreau said.
Meanwhile, the union representing the injured mailman says the attack was more serious than they initially thought. The postal worker is off work while he recovers. Rene Desjardins of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) Health and Safety Committee said the mailman’s hand is so swollen he can’t close it.
“He even bit near the neck,” Desjardins said. “Mentally, I think he is - he was afraid, he is traumatized.”
The union is recommending that its workers carry a repellant spray to protect themselves while on the job. Notices have also been sent to homes in the area reminding them that their pets could be dangerous to letter carriers.
The pit bulls’ home on Mirelle St. has had its mail delivery suspended indefinitely. Desjardins said postal workers have had problems with the dogs at this address in the past. Approximately two years ago, a mailman was chased back into his vehicle but no police report was ever made.
In Canada, more than 500 dog bite incidents involving letter carriers occur every year.
With a report from CTV Montreal.
