NO DOGGIE DELIVERIES; LETTER CARRIER IS CURTAILED FROM GIVING OUT TREATS.

Byline: Eric Leach Daily News Staff Writer

Unlike the stereotypical letter carrier, Jerome Story is a dog's best friend.

For years, the dogs on his San Fernando Valley route wagged their tails as he approached because, instead of Mace, he carried an ample supply of dog biscuits - and generously delivered them, along with the mail.

Their tails were still wagging Thursday, but there were no more biscuits.

Story had been ordered to stop delivering the doggie treats - per U.S. Postal Service policy.

He held out his empty palms when his canine friends approached, tails wagging. ``Sorry,'' Story said, walking on.

``It's such a petty, stupid, outrageous order,'' said Norma Bourne, one of several postal customers and dog owners on Story's route upset by the biscuit ban.

``I exploded when I heard this. I called Washington. I even called the White House,'' Bourne said.

``My dog, Nanette, loves this mailman. She comes dashing out wagging her tail and her eyes shine. It's like a small child getting a lollipop.

``I'm sure all the dogs on his route love him. He has established a very good rapport,'' Bourne said.

Fifteen-year-old Juan Quevedo, who lives across the street from Bourne, said his family even left a treat on the mailbox Thursday with a note reading: ``Mr. Mailman: Please give the Milkbone to Pete. He'll thank you.''

``There are a lot of dogs that really like this guy,'' said Quevedo.

Story, who has been a letter carrier for 14 years, said he developed the habit of giving treats to dogs years ago because he feared being bitten.

``There's got to be a better way than to Mace the dogs,'' he said. ``Since I'm out here every day, I might as well make friends with them. I started giving the cookies every day, and I have never had any problems. I've never been bitten.''

He could not say how many dogs are on his route, but estimated it cost him $350 a year out of his own pocket to buy them biscuits.

David Mazer, manager of corporate relations for the U.S. Postal Service in Los Angeles, said there is a national policy discouraging letter carriers from handing out doggie treats, mainly out of concern for substitute carriers who show up empty-handed.

``We deliver six days a week, so there is a substitute carrier every week on every route. They could get bit. The dogs will be there wanting a biscuit,'' Mazer said.

``Biting is a very serious thing,'' Mazer said. ``Three thousand letter carriers get bit every year.

``Also, we don't know that people want us to feed their dogs,'' he said.

Story, who has worked for the Postal Service for 14 years, said he had never heard of the no-biscuit policy until a few days ago.

Even though he has stopped handing out the treats, the dogs do not seem angry, he said.

``The dogs still come to me. They look at me and kind of sulk. They look disappointed,'' he said.

Bourne said the Postal Service should not only change the policy, but also supply dog biscuits as protection for all letter carriers.

``My common sense tells me it would be more practical to supply them with dog cookies than with Mace,'' Bourne said.

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3 Photos

Photo: (1--Color) Two tail waggers greet letter carrier Jerome Story, ordered to stop passing out dog biscuits.

(2--Color) Jerome Story

(3)Norma Bourne tells her dog that authorities have ordered the mail carrier to stop giving away pet treats.

Bob Halvorsen/Daily News