Florida Postal Worker Killed by 5 Dogs in Brutal Attack

Putnam County, FL (WorkersCompensation.com) – Authorities say a postal worker is dead after being mauled by several dogs in Putnam County, Florida, last week. 

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office said at a news conference that Pamela Jane Rock, 61, of Melrose, was attacked by five dogs when her vehicle broke down. 

Officials said deputies responded to a call to Walker Drive and found the woman on the ground bleeding severely. After providing first aid, first responders applied a tourniquet until rescue units arrived. 

Rock was then transported to HCA Florida Putnam Hospital, and to a trauma center in Gainesville in critical condition. Rock was pronounced dead at 7:30 p.m. Monday, the Sheriff’s Office said. 

Witness said they heard Rock screaming for help, the Sheriff’s Office said. When they went outside, they saw dogs attacking a woman on the ground. While several neighbors tried to pull the animals off of the woman, one neighbor even shot a rifle into the ground to scare the animal, authorities said. The animals were contained by the time deputies arrived on the scene, officials said.

After being identified by witnesses, the five dogs were taken into custody by Animal Control, the Sheriff’s Office said. The owner has given up custody of the dogs and they will be humanely euthanized. Officials said it wasn’t clear when the dogs would be put down however, as they may be needed to provide physical evidence in the Sheriff’s investigation. 

“Our hearts are with the victim and her family as they navigate through this tragic event,” Sheriff H.D. 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 U.S. Postal Service was on the scene investigating on Tuesday. 

In a statement, the Postal Service said it was “deeply saddened at the loss of our employee. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and her co-workers at this time.” 

A similar episode happened in Putnam County in 2011 when two dogs attacked a 74-year-old man, according to the Florida Times-Union. In that incident, the dogs ripped off the man’s right arm and part of his left. He did not survive. The dogs in that attack were not involved in Rock’s attack. 

Rock’s death comes just a couple of months after the USPS released a report on dog attacks on postal employees. In 2021, the agency reported 5,400 dog attacks on postal employees throughout the country. In 2019, there were 5,803 attacks. In Florida, there were 201 attacks in 2021, up from 199 in 2020. 

The USPS said it’s on homeowners to keep dogs restrained to prevent attacks. 

"Every year, thousands of postal employees are attacked by dogs as they deliver America's mail. And while it's a dog's natural instinct to protect their family and home, we ask all customers to act responsibly by taking safety precautions with their dogs while the mail is being delivered," said USPS Employee Safety and Health Awareness Manager Leeann Theriault. "When a carrier comes to the residence, keep the dog inside the house and away from the door — or behind a fence on a leash — to avoid an attack." 

The USPS recommends that when a letter carrier arrives at a home, homeowners should keep dogs inside the house or behind a fence; away from the door or in another room, or on a leash. Pet owners should also remind children to not take mail directly from a letter carrier, as it could cause the dog to view the letter carrier as a threat. 

In Rock’s attack, the dogs had escaped from their property by moving rocks at the bottom of a fence that had previously secured it. Neighbors told deputies the dogs frequently jumped the fence, and caused chaos in the neighborhood, even going so far as to kill a Chihuahua on one occasion. 

In 2011, a similar episode occurred in Putnam County when two dogs attacked and killed a 74-year-old man, tearing off his right arm and part of his left, The Florida Times-Union reported. 

Officers said the dogs’ owner has not been charged yet, but may be charged with a crime once the investigation is completed.

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