Postal worker says resident set dog on her

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is looking into whether a Huntington Beach woman intentionally let her cocker spaniel loose on a mail carrier, authorities said. The postal worker, former Olympic swimmer Shirley Babashoff, called 911 last week saying she was hiding from the dog in her truck.

Babashoff, of Fountain Valley, told a dispatcher that a resident got angry as she approached the door to have her sign a piece of registered mail, authorities said. She said the resident, Patricia Johnson, let out her black and white cocker spaniel and unleashed a verbal tirade at her, authorities said.

An inspector began a probe last week into whether there was any “criminal intent” in the actions, said Renee Focht, a spokeswoman for the investigators.

Babashoff won eight medals in the 1972 and 1976 Olympics, including two gold medals.

— Michael Alexander