Family outraged after mail carrier runs over dog, then drives away
DOUGLASS, Kan. (KSNT) – A Kansas family is outraged after they say a mail carrier ran over their dog, then left without doing anything.
It happened Thursday in Butler County near Douglass. The Howerton family told KSNW their 10-year-old black Labrador retriever was in a lot of pain but are just thankful he’s still alive. The family is shocked by the actions of the postal worker, and it has led U.S. Postal Service to start an investigation.
The Howertons said they will never forget the sounds and images on home surveillance footage.
“Get out, go on, get out,” the mail carrier said.
Their black Lab named Blue had been hit by the mail carrier’s vehicle Thursday morning. Without helping, he drove off.
“I could’ve never left a dog, dog like that I would’ve felt horrible,” Shannon Howerton said.
“Well, the dog loves me, and I don’t want him to die,” Emily Howerton said.
It wasn’t until hours later that the family discovered he was injured … and had no idea what happened.
“His ear, on his hip, and we thought maybe he got into a dog fight,” Shannon said.
A veterinarian checked the dog. “She said it definitely looked like he had been hit by a car,” Shannon said.
The couple said they then checked the home surveillance footage and that’s when they saw the hit and what happened before the mail carrier left.
“He got in her car, and she just continued to yell at him making him more fearful,” Shannon said.
The Howertons quickly filed a police report and contacted the post office to file a complaint.
KSNW reached out to Postal Service. It said these actions are not consistent and don’t represent the values of the postal service, and an investigation is underway. The Howertons said they understand carriers could be worried about animals, but her actions don’t suggested she was scared.
“I know you still can have concerns, some people are just afraid of dogs, but I don’t think she was afraid of the dog,” Shannon said.
The Howertons say vet bills are close to $600, and they feel as though they shouldn’t have to pay. They also believe the carrier should no longer hold her job.