Mail Carrier Routinely Pepper Sprayed Pet Dog For Months, Disturbing Video Shows

Footage from a CCTV camera showed a mail carrier in California routinely pepper spraying a pet dog.

Speaking to ABC-affiliated television station KGTV on Tuesday, Alfonso Galindo, the dog owner, said strange spots were appearing on his seven-year-old pet’s fur for months. The stains appeared again recently after which he checked his newly installed CCTV camera and was heartbroken to see who was hurting his dog, a poodle mix.

The surveillance video showed a mail carrier passing the front gate and walking up to the mailbox while the dog, Pupa, could be seen behind the gate. A cylindrical object could be seen in his hand as he placed the mail in the box. The dog, at the same time, could be seen beginning to convulse.

"The dog is withering in pain ... makes me sick to my stomach," said Galindo.

After viewing the recent footage, Galindo decided to view footages of the last one month and found nine similar instances where the dog started to convulse after the mail carrier walked by. Galindo said the postal carrier was spraying pepper spray at his dog’s face.

"It's a total betrayal of the trust. You would think the Postal Service is somebody you can trust," said Galindo.

He added that the dog, a beloved member of the family, turned up with red eyes several times in the last few months and Galindo's two children, who constantly touched the dog, developed respiratory problems.

"Countless trips to the ER and Urgent Care, and countless medications," said Galindo, adding that he now knew the cause. "I get livid thinking about it. This is the health of my children."

Galindo filed a police report as well as a complaint with the Postal Service, which began an internal investigation.

"I believe what he's done to our family is criminal," said Galindo.

Dog owners who believe their pets too were sprayed with pepper spray in the San Diego area were requested to contact San Diego Police at 619-531-2000.

The incident comes a few days after a mail carrier was attacked by a dog in Detroit. A video of the incident showed the postal carrier lying on the floor while the dog locked onto his foot. The canine finally released the man after several people struck it with anti-theft club and broom. The man was taken to a nearby hospital by a bystander and was listed stable. The dog’s owner was ticketed.

The United States Postal Service released a statement saying, "The Postal Service is investigating this tragic incident and working with local authorities. We are deeply grateful to the concerned citizens who came the aid of our letter carrier. Unfortunately attacks such as this provide the postal service an opportunity to remind dog owners that it is their responsibility to restrain their pet in order to avoid attacks against our employees while they are in performance of their duties.”