Leeds postman feared for his life in brutal dog attack

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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A postman has told how he feared for his life when a hulking eight-stone bull mastiff smashed through a fence and pinned him to the ground in a terrifying attack on his rounds.

Robert Mole, 31, who was left with permanent scars after the incident, spoke exclusively to the Yorkshire Evening Post as bosses at the Royal Mail revealed that more than two postal workers are being attacked by pets in Leeds every month.

Mr Mole, from Leeds, who has been a postal worker for five years, said started his rounds the same as usual.

He told the YEP: “I’d just started on my first street of the day.

“I’d got to the end of the street and to this particular house. I knew they had a dog there but I’d only ever heard it before as it had always been locked up.

“I came down the path and all of a sudden the dog came round the corner and charged at me.

“It was an eight stone dog and probably stood as tall as my head when it put its paws on me.”

The dog had broken through a fence at the side of the house and began chasing Mr Mole.

He said: “I put my bag out in front of me as a shield and tried to get away. But I fell as I ran away and the dog got on top of me.

“I thought it was going to go for my neck and I honestly feared for my life.”

Eventually, after a struggle, a neighbour heard Mr Mole’s shouts and helped wrestle the animal off.

The postman was left with cuts to his arm, hands and leg where the dog had attacked and bitten.

And since then Mr Mole, who had to take time of work following the incident, says he has become nervous on his rounds.

He said: “It’s hard going out on my rounds now,

“I’m edgy and if I hear a loud noise, I feel nervous for about 10 minutes because it brings it all back.”

He added: “I don’t enjoy the job as much as I used to.”

The attack on Mr Mole, which happened in April, is by no means an isolated incident.

Figures obtained by the YEP under the Freedom of Information Act reveal there were 25 attacks by pets on postal workers in Leeds during the period April 2011- April 2012.

Of those, 21 involved dogs and the remaining four did not have a type of animal recorded.

There are also currently three suspensions of deliveries to addresses in Leeds due to aggressive animals.

A spokeswoman for Royal mail told the YEP: “The safety of our employees is of paramount importance to Royal Mail and whilst we have a legal commitment to deliver to all addresses, we also have a duty under Health and Safety law to reduce risks and prevent injury to our people. “

He added: “Unfortunately, dog attacks are a hazard faced by our postmen and women every working day. These attacks cause great distress and, in too many cases, serious injuries.

“Where attacks do take place, suspensions to deliveries may be put in place in the short term in order to ensure the safety of our employees.”

[pike23]

anyone know what area of leeds this is?

[bahtatter]

Meanwood LS6