UPDATE 7/23/10 @ 11pm
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- It's a cliché because it happens so frequently.

Postal workers are forced to face off against dogs during a day on the job.

This week a couple mail carriers found themselves in compromising positions in the on-going struggle of mail carrier versus canine.

James Johnson says his mailman normally hands mail over his fence to keep his distance from Tookie the pit bull, but Monday, the postal worker tried unsuccessfully to come through the gate of the Guyandotte home.

"It's his (the dog's) yard,” Johnson said. “What would you expect? You ain’t gonna just walk in my yard and he not do nothing. It's his territory."

Another postal worker was bitten by a pit bull Friday on 17th Street.

Postal worker Harold Smith has never been bitten, but he says it's a threat he and other postal workers have to be constantly aware of.

"If everybody would keep them locked up in a fence or chained up or something it would be good,” Smith said. “It would be very helpful."

Johnson says he's regretful but doesn't think his dog should be vilified.

"I truly apologize,” he said. “It was an accident."

Officials say the postal worker bitten Friday was able to go right back to work, but the one bitten Monday had a pretty serious arm injury and is still on sick leave.

Huntington Animal Control is looking to quarantine both dogs for up to ten days.

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ORIGINAL STORY
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Huntington Animal Control is looking to quarantine two pit bulls they say bit postal workers.

One postal worker was bit in Guyandotte Monday. Animal Control workers say they contacted the dog owner. The pit bull will be quarantined for 10 days.

Another postal worker was bit Friday on 17th Street in Huntington. Animal Control has not tracked down that pit bull.

Names and conditions of the postal workers have not been released at this time.

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