Dog bites postwoman in two attacks in Telford

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A postwoman received a one-inch cut to her arm and had to have a tetanus jab after being bitten by a dog while on her rounds.

It was the second time that the woman had been attacked by the Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier, which was owned by former Special Constable Kevin Mark Lewis, of Upper Road, Madeley, Telford.

Lewis – himself a former Royal Mail employee – owned two other dogs and had had no problems with them, but had taken ownership of “Missy” from his son-in-law, Telford Magistrates Court was told. Mrs Katie Price, prosecuting, said that the first indication that the dog was dangerous came in December 2014 when it came up behind the victim while she was delivering to the defendant’s house and bit her on the arm.

Lewis, 50, came out of the house, called the dog back and apologised to the victim, who was not injured by the bite.

Her manager visited the property on January 16 to discuss the problem and Lewis subsequently fitted a fence around the home and a protective cage around the letter box to stop the dog getting near it, and sealed up the cat flap.

However, on February 24 the postwoman was delivering the mail and noticed Lewis in the driveway. As she opened the gate the dog jumped up and attacked her, biting her on the arm and breaking the skin through two layers of clothing.

Lewis who was not represented in court, admitted one charge of being the owner of a dog that was dangerously out of control and had injured someone. He was given an eight-week prison sentence suspended for nine months and 80 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay £240 compensation. District Judge Nigel Cadbury ordered that the dog be destroyed.

Lewis said that he did not believe the dog was dangerous and would take any means necessary to save it.