FedEx Driver Mauled By Dogs Has Arm Amputated Following Attack

A FedEx delivery driver in rural Illinois was left with severe injuries to both his legs and arms after being attacked by two dogs. The man's left hand and wrist had to be amputated following the attack. He was airlifted to a St. Louis hospital where he awaits further surgeries, according to his brother.

Police said the attack took place Saturday during a delivery on Pleasant Dale Hollow Road, just north of Kampsville, a village in Calhoun County.

Calhoun County Sheriff William Heffington said the victim "had severe bite wounds to his arms and legs. It was pretty bad," Illinois' RiverBender.com reported.

Heffington said the man—identified as Paul Gmoser by the victim's brother—was in a "pretty serious" condition and "will likely be in the hospital for some time."

The exact breed of the dogs is unclear. Local media reported them to be either American bulldogs or American pit bull terriers (APBT), which is a cross between the bulldog and terrier breeds.

Newsweek has contacted the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office for comment.

The patient's brother, Mike Gmoser, said Monday: "My brother, Paul Gmoser, was the driver that was attacked. His left hand and wrist had to be amputated.

"He has significant injuries to his right arm and both legs. He has had two surgeries and will require more. He was taken out of ICU today," he added.

According to the victim's brother, the dogs charged through the front door of the home where the worker was delivering a package. The dogs were reported to have been on top of the driver by the time the homeowner returned to the property.

It is unknown what may have triggered the attack from the dogs. According to veterinarian records, both dogs had received their appropriate shots. Otherwise, they would have been quarantined for 10 days.

The sheriff said the dog owner told authorities he was going to take care of the situation.

The sheriff noted the latest incident was one of the worst bite cases he'd come across in his career. He warned residents to be aware of potential attacks from even the most unsuspecting of dogs, especially in view of the rise in online orders and home deliveries.

According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), the world's largest dog registry, American bulldogs are known for their "great strength, endurance, agility, and a friendly attitude."

The AKC advises: "Rules and routines should be put in place early and adhered to as dogs grow up. They require a firm but loving hand to establish and retain proper boundaries."

APBTs are also known for their "strength, confidence and zest for life," says the United Kennel Club (UKC) in the U.K. "The breed's natural agility makes it one of the most capable canine climbers so good fencing is a must for this breed."

The UKC says APBTs "are extremely friendly, even with strangers. Aggressive behavior toward humans is uncharacteristic of the breed and highly undesirable."