Court makes ruling on fate of dangerous Millom dog

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In August last year a border collie named Patch leapt up and bit a postman on August 9

MAGISTRATES' have today (19) delivered their verdict on the fate of a dog which bit a postman in Millom.

Patch, a 10-year-old border collie which leapt at postal worker Gavin Robinson, has been placed under a contingent destruction order, following a trial last week at which Brian David Skelton was convicted of being in charge of a dog seriously out of control.

Skelton, 28, of King Street, Millom, was sentenced at South Cumbria Magistrates’ Court in Barrow yesterday, when he was given a community order for his part in the incident.

The court had been told by Mr Peter Kelly, prosecuting, how on August 9 last year, Skelton opened the door to a postman around 11.30am soon after waking up.

Patch proceeded to run out and jump at the victim, biting his elbow - an injury which required hospital treatment.

At the sentencing hearing, presiding magistrate Sharon Gillam told Skelton: “We don’t feel you grasped the seriousness of the offence you were facing.

“We feel that a custodial sentence would not be appropriate. We are going to give you a community order.”

Before being sentenced, Skelton spoke very briefly to confirm a few key facts for the magistrates.

When asked what he did to stop the dog attacking the postman, he said: “I tried to use my leg as a shield between the door and the dog.”

The owner of Patch, Michael Jackson, of Castle Cottages, Millom, was also addressed by Mrs Gillam.

She said: “I’m sure you have grasped the gravity of this situation. We take this as your first and final warning concerning the dog. It is not such a danger to the public. You are a fit and proper person to have ownership of the dog.”

In mitigation, Mr Jackson said: “I think it was a moment; he’d just woken up. I don’t think it was done on purpose by any means."

He is a very well-trained dog. Very obedient.”

The contingent destruction order means if Mr Jackson does not adhere to strict rules now placed on Patch, he runs the risk of his dog being destroyed.

The court ordered that Patch must be muzzled and on a lead whenever it is not inside the house. It must also be kept on a lead when being exercised, and Mr Jackson must buy and install a large post box and appropriate warning sign on the gate of his property.


Skelton was given a 12-month community order. He will have to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work during that time.

He was also ordered to pay £500 compensation to the postman, £300 in court costs, and an £85 victim surcharge.

Speaking after sentencing, Mr Jackson said: “I’m grateful that the dog is not being put down.”