WILLMAR -- Two Willmar residents were issued citations after a dog described as an English pit bull bolted from their home and attacked a mail carrier on the other side of the street on Wednesday morning, seriously injuring the man's hand.
Willmar Police Department records show that citations were issued to Leann Olson, 43, for allowing a dog to run at large; and to Jeffery Ellingboe, 43, for keeping an unlicensed dog.
The dog is currently being held by authorities. Its immunization shots were not current.
Police records also show that the Wednesday incident was not the first time that authorities were called to complaints about dog problems at the defendants' home.
Police records state that Joseph Grady, 51, of Spicer was on the opposite side of the street when at approximately 10 a.m. Wednesday a resident at 728 Third St. S.E. opened the door of the home to let dogs out. The English pit bull bolted out as well and charged directly at the mail carrier. He attempted to flee and grabbed for a pepper spray container he carried. The dog bit his right hand. He suffered a large laceration and puncture would to his right hand and thumb.
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Neighbors told police they witnessed the dog attack. The postal employee told police he had previous concerns about dogs at the residence.
