Gaston mail carrier accused of stealing dog

Gaston, N.C. — A contract mail carrier for the United States Postal Service is accused of stealing a dog from a Gaston couple after delivering their mail, police said.

The Northampton County Sheriff's office has charged Sherry Morse, 35, of Virginia, with two felony counts of larceny and possession of stolen goods. She posted bond and is scheduled to appear in court on Monday.

The dog, an 8-year-old chow-pit bull mix named Dutchess, remains missing.

Owners Kenneth Davis and Deborah Shearin, of Gaston, said the dog was stolen on Oct. 13.

“For anyone who’s ever had a kidnapped child, I feel for them because I’m like this over my pet,” Shearin said.

The owners said they had just given the dog a bath and had not put its collar back on. As they normally do, the owners said they then let the dog roam the neighborhood.

Neighbor Faye Harris said she saw Dutchess in Morse’s car on the day she went missing.

“I said, 'That dog belongs right down there (at its home).' She said, ‘No, I don’t think it has a home. It looks like a stray to me,’” Harris said.

Harris said a teenager was with Morse that day. The sheriff’s office said they are looking into the teen's identity.

The day after Morse was charged, Davis and Shearin said, she was back in their neighborhood delivering mail.

“I’m not too happy with it. I don’t think she should be still delivering the mail,” Shearin said.

Morse did not stop at Shearin and Davis’ home.

A representative from the USPS told WRAL the company was unaware Morse faced felony charges. She has since been placed on unpaid leave. Representatives said the USPS has launched an internal investigation.

Calls to Morse have not been returned.

“All I want is my dog. I don’t want that woman to go to jail,” Davis said. “She can go free as long as she brings back my dog.”