No Mail for Indio Neighborhood for a Week

By Angela Monroe

CREATED Dec. 19, 2012

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  • We spoke with half a dozen homeowners on Mountain View Drive in Indio, and all of them told me their mail had not been delivered in a week. The US Postal Service told us the reason for the interruption is loose dogs. Video by kmir6.com

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 It's the time of year, many are sending and receiving gifts and cards. 

But one Indio neighborhood has not had their mail delivered in nearly a week.
They asked KMIR6 to investigate.
 
We spoke with half a dozen homeowners on Mountain View Drive in Indio, and all of them told me their mail had not been delivered in a week.
The US Postal Service told us the reason for the interruption is loose dogs.
The Castillo's mailbox remains empty for a week now, and they are waiting for an important delivery.
"I'm expecting some medication from the VA and they said they were going to send it as soon as possible, but I haven't received it yet," said Indio homeowner, Andres Castillo.
To solve the mystery of missing mail, he traveled to the Indio Post Office on Fargo Street.
"I went down to the post office just to check and see if I had any mail and they said they didn't know anything about it," said Castillo.
Other neighbors down the block are also missing their holiday deliveries.
"Gift cards from my families, or my parents, I don't know, or my bills, it's more important my bills right now," said Efren Rodriguez, who is also missing his mail.
The US Postal Service district office told us the problem is dogs on the street.
The postmaster tried to notify to homeowner, but saw the dogs and didn't want to risk their safety.
We spotted several loose dogs both on Mountain View and neighboring streets, but the Castillos say they don't think aggressive dogs live on their street.
"There's only about a couple, and my neighbors in the middle of the street, he's got like three in the street but I don't think there's really trouble," said Andres homeowner, Francisca Castillo.
But the USPS told me any type of dog can be dangerous, and a postal employee was bitten on this street last month.
They sent a statement saying "Letter carriers fearing for their safety may stop delivery... and if they can't discern where it resides... delivery can be interrupted to the entire neighborhood."
"I don't want to complain, so maybe talking with us what happened, and everything will be okay," said Francisca.
Indio Animal Control told me they picked up a Chow mix Tuesday on the next block. 
"Well, would like to see, the mail come back!" said Rodriguez.
So this neighborhood is making a holiday wish to once again have mail.
Especially during this busy mailing time of year, the USPS reminds people to keep their dogs restrained.
Indio Animal Control said neighbors should call if they see stray dogs.