Two postmen attacked by dogs on same day

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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One postman is in hospital and a second has received a puncture wound after both men were attacked by different dogs on the same day while on duty.

Doctors believe the 48-year-old who is still in hospital, and who wishes to remain anonymous, may have long term-muscle damage and could need a skin graft after a German Shepherd bit deep into his calf moments after he delivered a letter in Cross Way, Dagenham at 10.30am on Monday of last week.

The second, Chris Hadjipaulis, 44, received a puncture wound to his arm when a Staffordshire bull terrier bit him in Shepherds Close, Chadwell Heath, two hours earlier.

Father-of-four Chris, from Romford, said: “I’ll have to go back as I need the money, but I am frightened.

“I’m a pretty big man but what happened was terrifying.

“Someone opened the door and a dog came bounding from behind and went for my face, but just grazed it.

“Then it bit into my arm and held on for about 20 seconds. I was in agony.”

The postmen and their union, the Communication Worker Union (CWU), are calling for more to be done to ensure the safety of Royal Mail staff.

A CWU spokesman said the man in hospital had just delivered the post when the German shepherd came running through a side gate.

“More should be done to make sure dog owners are responsible, and are not, for example, leaving gates open,” he said.

“There also needs to be a change in the law. Currently, it’s not a criminal offence for dogs to be out of control on private property where they are permitted to be. This is wrong.”

A total of 18 postal workers were attacked in the Romford postcode area, which includes Dagenham, between April 2011 and April this year. Royal Mail said the figure was “unacceptably high”.

Sgt Ian Lee, of Barking and Dagenham Police, said of the Dagenham attack: “In this case police do not have the power to seize the dog. Magistrates do have the power at court to order the destruction of the dog or place a dog control order upon the owner, but this is a civil action rather than a criminal prosecution.

“In the interests of public safety, police will seize dangerous animals wherever possible.”

He added that in rare cases police can get a court summons under an old legal act.

Since April 2012 there have been about 27 offences reported in the borough involving dangerous, or dangerously out of control dogs.

[pinstripe]

"“In this case police do not have the power to seize the dog. Magistrates do have the power at court to order the destruction of the dog or place a dog control order upon the owner, but this is a civil action rather than a criminal prosecution.""

As this is a civil action,why don't RM pursue it? Perhaps a few well publicised cases may make Joe Public be more responsible.