DES MOINES, Iowa — One block on the east side of Des Moines hasn’t been receiving mail for nearly a month, and it is all because the mail carrier feels threatened by a few dogs.
“That one house can destroy the whole block more or less,” Daryl Bailey said.
Bailey, a 40-year resident on the 2500 block of East Walnut Street in Des Moines, says he has never had a problem with his mail, until now.
“Well, after about a week I couldn’t figure out why I wasn’t getting any mail, and that’s how they let me know,” Bailey said.
USPS told Bailey delivery to his block was suspended indefinitely because a mail carrier feels threatened by multiple dogs at a nearby residence.
“I couldn’t tell you if they are vicious or if they are not vicious because I haven’t had any problem with them,” Bailey said.
Channel 13 reached out to the mail delivery service and they sent a statement saying: “If a dog is on the loose, delivery for the entire neighborhood could potentially be affected. The postal service works with the homeowner and local authorities in the event of dog issues, but if the issues are not resolved or continue to occur, we have no other choice but to suspend delivery. There are three dogs in that neighborhood that have repeatedly been unrestrained and running at large while exhibiting aggressive behavior. Animal control has handled six dog-related calls at the dog owner’s residence since September of 2018.”