Mail carrier won't deliver near pit bulls in Lawrence

LAWRENCE, Mass. - Rain, sleet and snow haven’t gotten in the way of the Post Office yet, but a pit bull has one mail carrier in Lawrence refusing to deliver.

After two weeks and no letters, cards, or even bills, the mail has finally come for people on Bowdoin Street in Lawrence. But the carrier was under police escort.

“He had to climb on his truck one day when the dog came at him. I mean the dog probably doesn't like the uniform, but you've got to do something to keep him tied up,” said June Lustenberger, a resident on the carrier’s route.

Two weeks ago the Post Office stopped delivery and neighbors had been forced to pick up their mail. For Lustenberger, who uses a wheelchair, it’s been difficult.

“I've had to write notes to get someone down to get it, and the lady upstairs doesn't drive so she's had to write notes,” she said.
.
Police say they investigated, and aside from one time last summer, there have been no incidents of strays. The only complaints are coming from the post office workers.

Since the mail stopped, the animal control officer has been in the neighborhood twice a day.

“We don't have any reports of stray animals. We've been up there checking on these animals on a regular basis. I don’t think the answer is to cut the mail off for people in the community,” said Romero.

Romero says they can’t continue to give the workers a police escort.

Police say they have checked out both dogs in question and aside from an expired dog license, which the owners were cited for, they've received all their shots and are properly leashed.