Dog struck with pole, delivery driver charged
Vicksburg, MS (US)Incident Date: Friday, Feb 6, 2009
County: Warren
Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Alleged
Case Images: 1 files available
Abuser names unreleased
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available
His owner says Taz is a loyal, energetic Belgian Malinois who usually spends his days frolicking outside the John Storey family residence with his counterpart, Aura.
This week, however, Taz is in the care of a veterinarian as the recovers from a blow to the head his owner alleges was unprovoked.
"He's not going to be trustful of delivery folks now," Storey said.
Storey, who owns a pharmacy, said Taz suffered a swollen eyelid and hazed-over right eye after a UPS driver struck the 2-year-old pooch when dropping off a package of cosmetics ordered by his wife.
A 2-minute segment of video from a home security system from three angles appears to show a UPS driver pulling up to Storey's circular driveway on Stenson Road and encountering both guard dogs as they circle the delivery truck. Within seconds, the driver is seen standing ahead of the dog, striking Taz once near the top of the head with a long, rod-like object before dropping the package a few feet from the door. Storey said his wife was at home at the time, but was unaware of the incident until after the fact.
Following an arrest warrant issued by Warren County Justice Court, the driver was released from custody this morning on a $500 bond on an animal injury charge, part of the state animal cruelty statute, Sheriff Martin Pace said. If found guilty of the misdemeanor in Warren County Justice Court, the driver, faces up to six months in prison and a $1,000 fine.
Deliveries by the service to his home are common, Storey said, generally items out of clothing catalogs. Taz and Aura were purchased from Alpha Canine Training Center in Jackson to protect his property, Storey said.
"He knows basic commands. But if I say 'Watch him,' he knows that I don't trust you," Storey said of the two Malinois, a breed known for working in law enforcement and search and rescue.
UPS officials said they are aware of the incident and have been in contact with law enforcement. Atlanta-based company spokesman Dan McMacken, a self-professed "massive dog lover" and a former route driver bitten on the job by a German shepherd, said drivers are allowed to protect themselves �" to a point.
"We don't condone drivers' carrying sticks," McMacken said. "In general, if our drivers feel threatened, they can do what they need to do to protect themselves."
McMacken confirmed the driver had been bitten before and likely feared for his life.
Drivers working in areas such as the area where Friday's incident took place are told they may carry dog biscuits as a way of deterring dogs given to chasing the trucks, McMacken said.
A trial date for the driver had not been set.
Case UpdatesA UPS driver facing a misdemeanor charge of animal injury will appear in Warren County Justice Court at 10 a.m. March 3 to enter a plea, according to the court docket.
The charges stem from reports of the driver striking a guard dog with a long, rod-like object while delivering a package to a Stenson Road residence.
Southern District Justice Court Judge Joe Crevitt will hear the plea.
The 2-year-old Belgian Malinois named Taz remains at a local veterinary clinic recovering from eye injuries, the dog's owner, John Storey, said Friday.
Footage from a home security system appears to show the driver striking the dog once near the top of the head before dropping the package close to the front door.
The driver was released Feb. 10 on a $500 bond. Animal injury is part of the state statute on animal cruelty and carries a maximum penalty of six months in prison and a $1,000 fine.
UPS officials have said its drivers are advised they can defend themselves against animals they perceive as threats, but carrying sticks is not condoned. Also, the worldwide parcel delivery giant does not supply its drivers with such weapons. Instead, a company spokesman said, diversions such as dog biscuits are allowed to deter dogs from harming delivery drivers. | Source: Vicksburg Post - Feb 21, 2009
Update posted on Feb 23, 2009 - 5:11PM |
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