Statement given to USPS Rep,
Approximately last week of June I was bitten by a dog on one of the carrier route. I had to deliver an accountable mail to the address, the door bell on the side of the building was inside the gate. I had to open the gate to ring the bell. Upon entering and ringing the bell I heard the dog barked I looked and the living room sliding door was partially open, I ran towards the gate tried to close the gate behind me the light brown dog came out of the living room door jumped up and bite me on my right hand. The owner came out saw my hand bleeding and offered to help, I told her no thanks at the time, that I would report it to my supervisor. The dog bite was on the palm and the back of my hand. A scar is still visible on the back of my hand. As casual workers we were required to get a cell phone and call at 2 p.m. daily. I called and reported all the details to Rex Perkins. Perkins told me to finish delivering the rest of my mail, he would take care of everything. Upon returning to the station, I proceeded to the carrier booth, the female carrier (Filipino American married to another mail carrier there) in the next booth notice the blood on my hand and asked what happened. I told her and she administered first aid and after instructed me to report it to the supervisor. After filling out the beware of dog card I gave it to Jim (Retired Air Force) he stated he was not aware of a dog at that address. I told him he now had proof that there was. I then went to the supervisor desk and told Shirley Roland about the dog bite she was busy at the time but Rex Perkins said he was handling it. That is probably why Shirley does not remember the bite incident she was relying on Rex to keep her informed. Also because she was honest enough to admit in Dee Dee Terranos letter, dated August 28, that she remembers me having a superficial wound. I always thought that Rex was overall in charge because he always told Shirley what to do and she always complied. A couple of days past I was burning with fever, but I dare not go on sickcall because I remembered what Rex Perkins told us casual carriers, and I quote, temporary casual carrier are not allowed to get sick., unquote. I hinted to Rex if I could get a transfer to another facility. Using some other reason so not to offend him, and fearing retaliation and I really liked my job. But if I stayed there worse things could happen to me and the supervisors would not care. I sacrificed my health and body and was fired for a driving safety problem even though the supervisors and other carriers did the same thing I did on a regular basis. Had I known that Shirley Roland was in charge overall I would have complained to her about Rex Perkins joking around and making racial remarks about us casual workers which three of us there were minorities. Rex Perkins knows I would do anything he told me but I did not approve of his bigotry.
I dont remember some of the peoples name for example the female carrier that administered first aid but I can identify them if allowed back there. I would remember the address of the incident if allowed inside the carrier route booth. I did not worry about the details because having been in the military I relied on my supervisors to do the right thing. Provided I told them all the details which I did, and just concentrated on my main job, which was delivering mail safely.
