March 2, 2008

HANOVER, Pa. – A mail carrier delivering on her route near Hanover, Pa., became trapped in her mail car for two hours when a pair of dogs ‘attacked’ her vehicle.

Robin Barton doesn’t normally deliver on the route she was working Wednesday. So she was a bit surprised when she pulled into the long, steep driveway of Stephanie Dekelbaum’s home, and was met by two dogs – a Rottweiler and a pit bull-mix.

More astonishing than the dogs’ presence was their behavior. Upon seeing Barton, the canines began acting aggressively; barking, running around the vehicle while snarling and snipping. Soon they began biting at the Jeep Cherokee’s tires, and eventually punctured three of them.

The dogs, named Judge and Justice, hadn’t been caged – rather an electric fence was used to keep them in the yard, but apparently not off the driveway.

Although safely locked inside the Jeep, Barton said she was frightened – and unable to drive away because of the flat tires. And since no one was home at the time, her only option was to call for help.

Using a cell phone, Barton contacted authorities. When they arrived, the dogs began biting the squad car tires, so the officers backed down the driveway, not wanting to get stuck, too.

Unable to get to Barton, the officers called animal control, planning to tranquilize the dogs. Then, they thought, a tow truck could pull the mail vehicle off the property.

But before any of that could happen, the dogs’ owner, Stephanie Dekelbaum, returned home. Authorities say upon seeing their mom, the dogs’ behavior transformed from aggressive home protectors to happy, excited puppies.

They followed Dekelbaum, who was surprised by the sight of two police cars and a disabled mail truck in front of her home, inside.

Dekelbaum apologized to Barton, who raises Beagles and still likes dogs despite the ordeal, and explained that the dogs’ recently were given a tire chew toy.

“They’re generally sweethearts,” Dekelbaum said.

Another postal worker completed Barton’s route that day. No charges will be pressed against Dekelbaum, although she may be asked for reimbursement of the vehicle’s tires.

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