Warminster postie’s fury after fourth dog attack

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.thisiswiltshire.co.uk/news/10452733._/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;?

Postman Duncan Allardice is begging dog owners to keep their pets under control, after he was one of four people hurt in separate dog attacks in the last fortnight.

Mr Allardice, who has been a postie in Warminster for nine years, was delivering mail to a house in Battlesbury Road on May 18, when a Staffordshire bull terrier bit him on his right calf.

The 44-year-old, of St Georges Close, Warminster, was left bleeding from an inch-long wound from the bite. He said the dog’s owner saw that it had confronted him, but took the mail from her open window rather than restraining the dog.

Mr Allardice, who had a tetanus jab when he was bitten on the hand by another dog in Horningsham at Christmas, said there had already been four or five dog attacks this year in the town.

He said: “It was quite painful, but it is something of an occupational hazard. Dogs are completely unpredictable and they can often react completely differently when approached by a stranger.

“It is down to the owners to be more responsible with their pets, but it is always a concern. We are well trained and there are procedures in place to minimise the risk, but they can’t account for every scenario.’’ Dog attacks also took place in Warminster on May 14 in Beacon View and on May 19 in Westbury Road, when there was also an incident in Saxon Close, Westbury.

They all involved people calling at the owners’ doors.

Inspector Alan Webb said: “Police are able to instigate a prosecution of owners of dogs that are out of control and this can lead to a range of conditions imposed by the court. No one wants to see a dog destroyed, so it is vitally important that dog owners keep their dogs under proper control.”

Melksham police are also appealing for information about the owner of a Great Dane which attacked a Staffordshire terrier on the football field off Awdry Avenue, Melksham on Tuesday.

[hans solo]

it is not an occupational hazzard
it is a dog attack simple
negligent owners should be charged by police follow all correct procedures
sue the owners

[arnold cheshire]

it is not an occupational hazzard
it is a dog attack simple
negligent owners should be charged by police follow all correct procedures
sue the owners

well said

[spiderj]

Seconded.

[Thunderthighs]

Sue..get ALL the correct info/witnesses/statements/RM and local council rules, guidelines.

Get medical records/info and dates/times/type of treatment, injuries, costs and loss of earnings.

Simpson Millar will sort it.

Takes time, but itll work itself out. Mine did!