PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. – A 61-year-old rural postal carrier was fatally attacked by five dogs Sunday afternoon in the Interlachen Lake Estates area after her vehicle was reported to have broken down.
Deputies responded and found a woman on the ground with severe bleeding. The dogs were nearby inside a fence at a home in the 2000 block of Walker Drive.
Witnesses told deputies they heard a woman scream for help and when they went outside they saw her on the ground with five dogs attacking. Witnesses said several neighbors rushed to help by attempting to pull the dogs off and one neighbor shot a rifle into the ground to scare the animals. Deputies arriving on scene and started first aid assistance including applying tourniquets until rescue units arrived.
The woman was transported to HCA Florida Putnam Hospital by ambulance and then flown to a trauma center in Gainesville where she was in critical condition until she died.
Animal Control arrived at scene and took custody of the five dogs identified by witnesses in the attack.
“Our hearts are with the victim and her family as they navigate through this tragic event,” Sheriff H.D. ‘Gator’ DeLoach said. “It is imperative that dog owners take responsibility in keeping their animals in a secured location for their safety and those around.”
The investigation is ongoing.
