POSTAL WORKER ATTACKED BY DOGS, DIES AT HOSPITAL

A 61-year-old rural postal carrier who was attacked by several dogs Sunday afternoon in the Interlachen Lake Estates area died Monday evening at a Gainesville hospital.

Pamela Jane Rock, 61, of Melrose died Monday evening at around 7:30 p.m.

On Sunday deputies responded to a residence in the 2000 block of Walker Drive and found Ms. Rock bleeding on the ground. Neighbors and the dogs’ owner had contained the dogs when deputies arrived. Deputies immediately provided first aid to Ms. Rock, including applying tourniquets until rescue units arrived.

Witnesses told deputies they heard a woman scream for help and when they went outside they saw her on the ground with five dogs attacking. Witnesses said several neighbors rushed to help by attempting to pull the dogs off and one neighbor shot a rifle into the ground to scare the animals.

Ms. Rock was taken to HCA Florida Putnam Hospital and then flow to a trauma center in Gainesville. She remained in critical condition until her death.

Animal Control arrived at scene and took custody of the five dogs identified by witnesses in the attack. The owner has relinquished custody of the dogs and they will be humanely euthanized.

The sheriff’s office has been contacted in regards to the dogs in the past. There were x times a deputy has responded to the area in reference to these dogs since January 2022. At this time we are unable to release details as it is part of our current investigation.

As stated previously, this is an ongoing investigation.