Meltham post ban after dog bite now includes FIVE streets

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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Dozens of householders in Meltham are missing out on their post after Royal Mail suspended more deliveries without telling them.

Postmen have been banned from five streets around a house where a dangerous dog has been seen running loose.

The Royal Mail halted deliveries in Copley Avenue, Golcar Brow Road, Sunny Bank Road, Deer Hill Court and Nab Crescent before Christmas over fears for the safety of staff.

In July 2013 deliveries were suspended in Copley Avenue after postman Jason Lee was savaged by a bull mastiff.

The Royal Mail says the same dog has been allowed to run loose again and deliveries were stopped once more.

Now, it has emerged, mail is piling up at the new Meltham Community Post Office at the Carlile Institute in Huddersfield Road.

Customers must collect their own mail – but haven’t been told their deliveries have been stopped.

Richard Noon, who helps runs the post office, said there was a big influx of mail for the affected streets yesterday (Mon) and added: “We can’t get any answers from Royal Mail about what is happening.

“Customers will have to collect the mail themselves but people haven’t been told they have to go and pick it up.

“We don’t get paid to sort the mail – we do it as customer service – but it would be nice to know what is going on.”

Mr Lee, 42, a postman for 20 years, needed plastic surgery after the dog bit a chunk out of his right arm. He also needed stitches in his buttocks.

As the attack happened on private property no charges were brought against the owner.

Mr Lee, who was off work for nine months, has been left scarred.

Royal Mail spokesman Morag Turnbull said: “Following an extremely serious attack from this dog in July 2013, a civil order was put in place to ensure that a fence was erected and the dog kept securely within the grounds of the property.

“This civil order has been breached as the gate is currently damaged enabling the dog to run loose.

“We are working with police to ensure the conditions of the order are met to allow us to deliver safely to Copley Avenue, Meltham.

“We are putting posters up locally to make customers aware that they can collect their mail at the nearby Meltham Post Office until deliveries can be reinstated.

“Whilst we always attempt to deliver letters to the affected customers advising them of the temporary arrangements unfortunately, as the dog has not been kept securely within the grounds of the property, we have been unable to do.

“Suspension of delivery is always a last resort and we sincerely apologise to customers for the inconvenience.

“Dog attacks are a significant hazard faced by postmen and women on a daily basis. On average around nine postmen and women a day are attacked by dogs across the UK with over 3,300 attacks taking place from April 2013 to April 2014, some leading to a permanent disabling injury.

“It is vital that our postmen and women are able to carry out their work safely and without any threats.”

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Postal deliveries in Meltham could resume - if danger dog gate is mended

Postal deliveries in Meltham stopped because of a dangerous dog could resume shortly.

Royal Mail halted deliveries in Copley Avenue, Golcar Brow Road, Sunny Bank Road, Deer Hill Court and Nab Crescent after fears over a bull mastiff which bit a postman.

Letters and parcels were building up at Meltham Community Post Office after deliveries stopped without householders being told they needed to collect their own mail.

The Royal Mail secured a civil order to ensure that the dog was fenced in and kept secure.

Last year the gate was damaged and Royal Mail bosses said the dog had been seen running loose.

Postman Jason Lee, 42, needed plastic surgery to an arm and was left scarred for life after the dog attack in Copley Avenue in July 2013.

Now the Royal Mail has been assured by the dog’s owner that the gate is to be repaired today.

Spokesman Morag Turnbull said: “We will undertake a risk assessment tomorrow morning, with a view to resuming deliveries immediately, provided the gate has been fixed and it is therefore safe to do so.

“We would like to apologise again to our customers who have been affected.”

[POSTMAN]

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Postal deliveries have resumed in Meltham.

Deliveries were stopped before Christmas after fears over a ‘dangerous’ dog which bit a postman.

Householders in Copley Avenue, Golcar Brow Road, Sunny Bank Road, Deer Hill Court and Nab Crescent had to collect their own mail.

Postman Jason Lee, 42, was attacked by a bull mastiff in July 2013 and was off work for nine months. His arm was badly bitten and he needed plastic surgery.

After the attack the Royal Mail secured a civil order to keep the dog fenced in.

Deliveries were halted after reports that the gate was broken.

A Royal Mail spokesman said the gate had now been repaired and staff were satisfied it was safe.

Deliveries started again yesterday morning and any remaining items of mail at Meltham Community Post Office will be sent out.

[NWpostie]

I hope the owner was due for compensation for the attack on the postman otherwise what lesson would the owner learn ? The dog is an accident waiting to a child better to put it down.

[rubberbond]

I hope the owner was due for compensation for the attack on the postman otherwise what lesson would the owner learn ? The dog is an accident waiting to a child ,better to put it down.

I agree ,nor should we be apologising ,for once this is a wholly justified suspension of delivery.