‘The Mailman Pepper Sprayed My Poodle’: California Dad Caught Letter Carrier On Camera

SAN DIEGO, CA — A California man says that he has caught his mailman on camera pepper spraying his dog multiple times.

Alfonso Galindo said that he came home one day and noticed that his seven-year-old rescue dog Pupa had red eyes and was rolling on the ground as if she was in pain. He also noticed "red stains" on the ground.

Galindo reviewed his surveillance camera, and shared footage with Fox 5, frame by frame. He saw his dog writhing in pain, and said that he was able to spot the moment when he believed the mailman sprayed the white poodle mix.

Galindo also checked out videos from the past month, and was horrified to discover evidence that he believes points to the fact that the mailman has sprayed his little dog with mace “at least 11 times.”

“If he’s threatened by this dog, I wonder how many other dogs he sprays on a regular basis,” Galindo told Fox 5.

The South Bay father says that he is concerned about other families in the area and their pets — and plans to take his kids to the doctor to see if some of the respiratory issues they have been experiencing could be connected to contact with the pepper spray.

Postal carriers are permitted to spray animals with repellant in the case of an attack, according to USPS guidelines. But employees are supposed to notify their supervisor if they are concerned about an animal. But Galindo told the news channel that his dog is a “sweetheart” and said he has never had anyone complain about her.

USPS officials have reportedly viewed the video. On Tuesday, they released a statement, reading:

"On behalf of the United States Postal Service, we want to apologize to the Galindo family and Pupa. We do not condone our employees behaving in a manner which is not professional and courteous. The appropriate personnel and corrective action will be taken as well as training given to all local letter carriers."

Read more: The Sacramento Bee, Fox5 San Diego