CLEVELAND -- A postal worker was mauled by a pit bull Wednesday afternoon while delivering mail in a Cleveland neighborhood.

The incident happened near East 77th Street and Donald Avenue, near St. Clair Avenue.

NewsChannel5 reported that the dog broke free from his chain and attacked the carrier. The mailman, screaming for help, pulled the dog across the street. Neighbors tried to beat the animal off with shovels and rakes, and one neighbor eventually got the dog away and tied it to a fence.

The victim was taken to Huron Road Hospital. Police said that the man suffered extensive injury and is going to undergo surgery, but he is expected to be OK.

His name has not been released.