An Alabama mail carrier is facing animal cruelty charges after she allegedly fed a dog meatballs with nails inside, WHNT News 19 reported on June 1, 2017.
47-year-old Susanna Burhans was arrested after an investigation by the Madison County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Postal Service, which was prompted by a complaint two weeks ago.
Dog owner Ed Glover told WHNT that he found a meatball on the ground by his mailbox near his home in New Hope and that Burhans was his mail carrier. Believing that the mail carrier fed one to his dog, Missy, he immediately took her to the vet, where he says x-rays revealed nails in Missy’s stomach. Fortunately, Missy has recovered and is okay.
Meatballs with nails. Screenshot via WHNT News 19
Burhans was arrested for aggravated animal cruelty (a Class C felony charge in Madison County) and has been suspended from work while the investigation is underway.
Jeldrys Lowry, USPS assistant special agent in charge of the investigation told Al.com that Burhans has worked for USPS for over 21 years and that the postal service is taking the allegations very seriously.
Missy. Screenshot via WHNT News 19
“The USPS OIG (Office of Inspector General) considers the allegation to be a very serious matter,” Lowry said in the statement. “The U.S. Postal Service employs more than 625,113 employees and is the largest civilian federal workforce in the country. This type of alleged behavior within the Postal Service is not tolerated and the overwhelming majority of Postal Service employees, which serve the public, are honest, hardworking, and trustworthy individuals who would never consider engaging in any type of criminal behavior.”
Susanna Burhans (Source: Madison County Jail)
Sheriff’s Capt. Mike Salomonsky also told WHNT at least one other resident has filed a complaint. However, no further details have been released and the allegations remain under investigation.
Glover says he hopes Burhans is not allowed to return to her job.
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