Mail carrier dies after being attacked by 5 dogs in Interlachen, deputies say

PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. — A postal worker has died after deputies say she was attacked by dogs in an Interlachen neighborhood on Sunday afternoon.

The woman, Pamela Jane Rock, 61, of Melrose, was attacked by five dogs in the Interlachen Lake Estates neighborhood after her delivery truck broke down, according to a Monday news release from the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office.

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Witnesses told deputies they heard Rock scream and saw her on the ground being attacked by the five dogs.

Neighbors worked to pull the dogs off Rock and one shot a rifle into the ground to scare the dogs away.

When deputies arrived, they saw Rock on the ground bleeding and the dogs contained inside a fence nearby in the 2000 block of Walker Drive.

Rock was taken to HCA Florida Putnam Hospital by ambulance and then flown to a trauma center in Gainesville in critical condition, deputies said.

PCSO said on Tuesday that Rock had died.

The five dogs were taken into custody by Animal Control on Sunday. PCSO said on Tuesday that owner has relinquished custody of the dogs and they will be humanely euthanized.

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“Our hearts are with the victim and her family as they navigate through this tragic event,” Sheriff H.D. ‘Gator’ DeLoach said in the news release. “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 released the following statement on the death of the postal worker:

“A postal family member lost her life in a dog bite attack. The U.S. Postal Service is deeply saddened at the loss of our employee. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and her co-workers at this time.”

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The Sheriff’s Office said it has been contacted in regards to these dogs in the past, but could not release more details at this time as the investigation is ongoing.

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