RM suspends post on Blackburn street after postman bitten

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Royal Mail suspends post on Blackburn street after postman bitten by dog

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ROYAL Mail has suspended all deliveries to a Blackburn street after a postman was bitten by a dog.

The company said it will no longer deliver to around 60 homes in Worcester Road, Whitebirk, because there is an ‘unacceptable level of risk’ to its workers posed by the animal.

Angry residents of the cul-de-sac have branded the decision ‘disgusting’ and ‘ridiculous’, while the dog’s owner said it was ‘out of order’ for the whole street to be punished.

Police said the postman was bitten on the arm after a child outside a house in the road was not strong enough to hold on to the animal’s lead.

All residents received a letter from Royal Mail after the incident last Thursday, which said that because of the seriousness of the incident deliveries had been suspended with immediate effect.

The letter said residents could collect their mail from the Blackburn Delivery Office in Canterbury Street, but any mail that remained uncollected after a period of 18 days would be returned to sender.

No time frame has been given as to when deliveries would be resumed, although the company has apologise to all affected customers and said it wants to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.

The owner of the dog, which is called Winston, said: “He’s never bitten before and everyone round here knows that he is safe.

“I have a nine-year-old little boy and a five-year-old little girl and Winston is brilliant with them both. He follows them round and is a great family pet.

“On the day of the incident my son had put him on a lead and taken him outside. I never let him do this because I know Winston is too strong for him.

“I was looking after my friend’s baby that day and so had just nipped upstairs to get her and in that split second, my little boy disobeyed me by taking the dog outside to show off to his mates.

“I heard my son scream and I looked outside.The postman had seen a dog run towards him, got scared and tried to fend him off.

“Winston had jumped up at him and bit the postman on the arm. The bite had drawn blood.

“The police and the RSPCA have been round and they’ve said they are happy that he is not a dangerous breed and just advised we get him neutered to calm him down a bit. He’s booked in for that today.

“I think that it’s out of order for Royal Mail to decided to punish the whole street for this.

“If they said that they wouldn’t deliver my post anymore then I’d understand but it’s just not fair on everyone else.”

Royal Mail spokeswoman Val Bodden said “Suspending deliveries is always a last resort but we take the health and safety of our employees very seriously and we are seeking assurances from the dog owners that their pet will be kept securely while we undertake deliveries.

“We apologise to all affected customers and would like to assure them that we will be working with the dog owners to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.

“In the meantime, affected customers can collect their mail from Blackburn Delivery Office on the production of photo ID.”

A spokeswoman from Lancashire Police said: “The dog was on a lead at the time but the lead was held by a child, who was not strong enough to hold on to the animal.

“The postman suffered a wound to his arm and was taken to hospital to be checked over.

The matter was passed on to the neighbourhood policing team who visited the dog’s owner on a joint visit with RSPCA who gave the owner a voucher to have the dog neutered and take it to dog training classes.

“The dog was not a banned breed or classed as a dangerous dog.”

Resident Clive Fisher said he had been waiting for a letter from Royal Blackburn Hospital oncology unit after being referred by his GP because he was exhibiting signs of cancer.

The 69-year-old said: “An appointment letter was left undelivered at the sorting office for days.

“There’s only a short period of time to treat disorders like this and I know that there’s a lot of people that live on this road that do have illnesses or disabilities.”

“I’m disabled but I’m lucky that I have a car. A lot of my neighbours don’t or are unable to drive.”

Another resident said: “Why can’t they just stop delivering to the house that has the dog?

“My wife is suffering from a terminal illness and she could be missing information about appointments, visits or even test results.

“She’s not going to be able to go into town every day to collect the post. It’s disgusting.”

Blackburn MP, Jack Straw said: “This is obviously aggravating to the residents but postmen and women face real danger everyday and until they can be sure the area is safe I support them taking this action.

“I’m hoping to meet with residents and Royal Mail to see how this issue can be resolved.”

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Blackburn councillor backs Royal Mail post suspension decision

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A BLACKBURN councillor has backed the Royal Mail’s decision to suspend postal deliveries to a whole street after a post man was bitten by a dog.

Shadsworth and Whitebirk councillor Jim Shorrock said: “Considering that Blackburn has just been in the news after a very serious dog attack, I think that everything possible should be done to ensure that people are safe on the streets and that dangerous dogs are not allowed to be kept “Dangerous dogs are a real problem and the post office has a duty to protect its workers.”

[TrueBlueTerrier]

‘Outrageous’ Blackburn postal boycott enters third week


http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/ne ... hird_week/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



RESIDENTS of an entire Blackburn street are facing a third week without a postal service after the Royal Mail continued to suspend deliveries following a dog attack.

The company’s decision to boycott Worcester Road, in Whitebirk, branded ‘outrageous’ by a local councillor, came after a postman was bitten while on his rounds.

The dog, a mixed breed puppy named Winston, was on a lead held by an eight-year-old boy in a front garden, against his father’s wishes.

Winston proved too strong for the child and jumped up at the postman, drawing blood from his arm.

Royal Mail issued a letter to every home telling residents that deliveries would be suspended and that they would have to collect their post from the sorting office in Canterbury Street.

The police and RSPCA were both involved with the Royal Mail investigation and made suggestions on how to calm Winston down and make the area safe.

Coun Tony Humphrys said the changes had been implemented by Winston’s owner and he called on Royal Mail to overturn its decision.

The Shadsworth and Whitebirk councillor said: “It is just outrageous that this street is still without post.

“Whitebirk has lost its bus service as it, is due to cutbacks and people are finding it very hard to get into town to collect their mail.

“They have to collect it within 18 days otherwise it is returned to sender.

“I understand that Royal Mail have a duty to protect their delivery people and that’s fine but these residents are being punished for something that they did not do, and it is unbelievable. I have met with Twin Valley, the PCSOs and Royal Mail, as well as local residents who are understandably annoyed. I am aware that the dog’s owner has done as instructed and had the dog neutered and has been taking him to behaviour classes.

“Royal Mail needs to overturn the decision.”

A spokesman for Royal Mail said: “Mail to Worcester Road is still suspended until we are satisfied that the road is safe.”

[Himaggen]

The Shadsworth and Whitebirk councillor said: “It is just outrageous that this street is still without post.

“Whitebirk has lost its bus service as it, is due to cutbacks and people are finding it very hard to get into town to collect their mail.

“They have to collect it within 18 days otherwise it is returned to sender.

“I understand that Royal Mail have a duty to protect their delivery people and that’s fine but these residents are being punished for something that they did not do

Ironic that the Councillor doesn't have an issue with the people being punished because of cutbacks which patently aren't their fault either.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Blackburn postman attack dog strikes again

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/ne ... n/11487540._/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;?

A MOTHER-OF-TWO said she fears losing her home after her dog attacked a postman for the second time.

Hayley Sandiford pleaded guilty to being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control after her American bulldog Winston ran up to the postman, snatched a bundle of letters out of his hand and tried to bite him.


In February, the animal bit another postman leading to a suspension of deliveries to Sandiford and other residents of Worcester Road, Blackburn.

At the time, she was given a warning and agreed not to allow the dog to be in the front garden and to keep it on a lead and secured in the back garden.

But the 28-year-old has now appeared before Blackburn magistrates after being arrested for the latest attack.

Magistrates heard that in July a postman in Surrey Road, around the corner from Sandiford’s home, was confronted by the dog.

Winston ran towards him baring his teeth, the court heard. The dog then snatched a bundle of mail out of his hand and the postman had to hide behind a tree before managing to get through a garden gate.

Sandiford appeared and grabbed the dog and said to the postman: “You’re not going to report us are you, we are already in trouble.”


She was bailed for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Neighbours living near Sandiford said they had not had any mail delivered since the incident and were forced to pick up items from the sorting office.

Speaking after the hearing, Sandiford, who is unemployed, said she was now worried she and her children would be forced out of their housing association home because she refuses to get rid of two-year-old Winston.

She said: “I do not think it is fair me and my two kids could be made homeless because I love my dog.

“It is not fair because he is a healthy dog. Everybody who has ever had an animal knows they are your family.”

In the Twin Valley Homes tenancy agreement, there is a clause saying tenants must ‘take all reasonable steps to prevent any pet causing a nuisance, annoyance or danger to anyone living in, visiting or doing any lawful activity in the locality of the property’.

Tenants must also agree to ‘take all reasonable steps to supervise and keep any pet under control’.

Sandiford, who said Winston was a loving family pet and not dangerous, said: “He is a brilliant pet. I have got two kids and he is brilliant with them and other people’s kids too.

“People have made out they are frightened of him, but I think it is unfair.”

Guy Richardson, a former police officer who has 38 years’ experience working with dogs, said in an assessment for the court: “In my professional judgement, I found him to be an intelligent, playful, human-friendly dog with a well-balanced temperament.”

Sandiford said she had also taken the dog to the dangerous dogs surgery at Greenbank Police Station in August, but had been told he was safe to keep at home.

She said for these reasons, the post should now start to be delivered again to her neighbours.

The mum said: “It is really unfair. I do not mind my post being stopped because Winston is my dog.

“I take full responsibility and I have done everything I have been asked.”

Neighbour Andy McMurray, who lives in Surrey Road, said it was ‘out of order’ that he was still not receiving his mail.

The 46-year-old said: “We have not been getting our letters for 12 weeks and I refuse to go and collect them.

“Winston is a brilliant dog and so I want to know what the problem is.

“The whole thing has been blown out of all proportion.”

Trevor Smith, who also lives in Surrey Road, said: “This has been going on for long enough now. It is just ridiculous.

“Even with Hayley admitting that the dog was dangerously out of control, it cannot be that bad because she has not got rid of it.”

Martin Berry, secretary of the Communications Workers Union in East Lancashire, which represents postal workers, said: “Our view is simple. People should keep their dogs under control. Our members do not go to work to be attacked by dogs.”

A spokesman for Royal Mail added: “More than 3,000 postmen and women are attacked by dogs each year and we encourage the public to take responsibility for keeping their pets under control so that we can deliver the mail safely.”

No-one from Twin Valley Homes was available for comment .

[Sidley]

Sadly you aren't allowed to leave comments about the story on the papers website as some of the statements are screaming for to be pulled to bits.
Anyway.....

http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/soci ... 3091379444" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Dogs win Worst Pet for 14th year in row

THE Bad Pet Awards have once again named dogs as the single worst thing anyone could possibly have.


Arsehole

Hailed as ‘head and shoulders’ above the rest for their demanding care schedule, uniquely pungent faeces, never-ending demands for attention and longevity, dogs once again beat cats into a distant second place.

Bad Pet Monthly editor Denys Finch-Hatton said: “From the first walk at 6.30am, picking up their warm turds with your own human hands, to the last, dung-filled yomp at 11.30pm, owning a dog is the most unrewarding experience anyone can have.

“You’ve got all the responsibility of a child without even the distant hope that they’ll leave home. And best of all they’re proven killers.

“Sure, snakes can be dangerous but they sleep most of the time. If you want to shout ‘it means you’re part of his pack’, while a red-eyed beast strips the flesh from a stranger’s ankle, then you need a dog.”

Emma Bradford, from Hatfield, said: “It’s the way my border terrier barks wildly at every passing car, keeping up a barrage of yips for 12 straight hours, that makes her an absolute f***ing nightmare for me and everyone else on the street.”

Nathan Muir, from Bristol, said: “Cats are still passive-aggressive dicks, but not only did my Welsh collie eat my limited edition Nike Air Max, but it cost me £1,200 in vet bills to have the remains removed from his stomach. I’d like to see a cat beat that.”

The award was accepted by Ludo, a six-year-old springer spaniel who ran on stage, jumped up at the judges and urinated on the podium before running into the road and causing an eight car pile-up.

[Sidley]

A local horrific attack today, coincidentally by American bulldogs

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-29309358" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Blackburn dog owner whose pet attacked two postmen taken to court

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A DOG owner whose pet has attacked two postmen is being taken to court by her housing association.

Hayley Sandiford, 28, from Blackburn, has already been prosecuted for allowing her American bulldog Winston, two, to be dangerously out of control.

In July he ran up to a postman delivering mail near her Worcester Road home and tried to bite him. In February, the animal bit a postman, leading to a suspension of deliveries to Sandiford and her neighbours.

Twin Valley Homes is now taking its tenant to Burnley Magistrates’ Court on Friday to apply for an injunction to make her get rid of her pet. If she refuses, there is a chance she could be evicted.

The mother-of-two said: “I think I have got a good case and Twin Valley Homes are just trying to make an example out of me to keep everybody sweet about the post problem.

“I am not happy, but I will have my day in court and I will definitely not get rid of my dog.”

A former police officer with years’ of experience working with dogs said in an assessment for the court that he found Winston to be ‘an intelligent, playful, human-friendly dog with a well-balanced temperament’“ Martin Jackson, Twin Valley Homes’ anti-social behaviour manager, said: “We allow tenants in certain types of accommodation to keep pets in their homes with permission from us. But they must be responsible owners.

“After this latest incident we will be seeking an injunction to have the dog permanently removed from the property.”

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/ne ... e_muzzled/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Dog that attacked Blackburn postmen must be muzzled



CONDITIONS have been placed on the owner of a dog that attacked two postmen.

Hayley Sandiford, 28, from Blackburn was taken to court by housing association Twin Valley Homes in a bid to win an injunction to make the mother-of-two get rid of her dog.


The case was adjourned, but Miss Sandiford, of Worcester Road, was told she must keep American bulldog Winston on a lead and muzzled at all times when in a public place.

Until the case can be heard again, the two-year-old animal must be kept under the control of a person aged 16 or over and kept in a secure environment to prevent escape.

A further condition means Winston cannot be under the control of a person who is intoxicated or under the influence of drugs while in public.

Speaking after the hearing, Miss Sandiford, who is unemployed, said: “I have been put on an interim order and the conditions are like what I was doing anyway.

“I am feeling anxious, but I am doing everything they asked. I am going to keep fighting to keep Winston.”

She added she was worried she and her children would be forced out of their home because she refuses to get rid of Winston. Martin Jackson, Twin Valley Homes anti-social behaviour manager, said: “Twin Valley Homes strives to keep all tenants and lawful visitors within our communities safe.

“Civil injunctive proceedings have been issued against Miss Sandiford with regards to her dog, and those proceedings are ongoing.

“We are also awaiting outcome of a criminal case against Miss Sandiford.”

Miss Sandiford is currently on bail for the preparation of a pre-sentence report after she pleaded guilty to be in charge of a dog dangerously out of control.

The Royal Mail suspended deliveries to Miss Sandiford and other residents in February after Winston bit a postman and the deliveries later restarted.

But in July, another postman was confronted by the dog, who had his teeth bared. He then snatched the mail out of his hand.

Neighbours living near Miss Sandiford said they had not had any mail delivered since the incident and were forced to pick up items from the sorting office.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Blackburn woman told her dog could be destroyed if it attacks postman again


http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/ne ... n/11544892._/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;?

A FAMILY pet could be destroyed after it attacked a postman.

Mother-of-two Hayley Sandiford, of Worcester Road, has been fighting to keep American bulldog Winston, despite him running up to the delivery man, snatching a bundle of letters out of his hand and trying to bite him.

Royal Mail has suspended deliveries to Miss Sandiford and her neighbours in both Worcester Road and Surrey Road.

The 29-year-old was sentenced to a six-month community order when she appeared before Blackburn Magistrates and was told the dog would be destroyed if she did not comply with conditions.

They are that Winston must be accompanied, muzzled, kept on harness, and on two leads, no shorter than 6ft long, when in public. Miss Sandiford’s premises must be securely fenced and adequately locked to prevent the animal from escaping and third party insurance for Winston must be purchased within two months.

Miss Sandiford must also pay a victim surcharge of £60 and Crown Prosecution Service costs of £85.

Speaking after the hearing, she said: “I am glad in a way that it is all over now, but there is a risk that Winston might get put to sleep.

“These conditions are what I have been doing anyway, so there is no reason why the dog should get out down.

“Winston is great, he is as lively as ever. He is a brilliant pet.”

Twin Valley Homes, which owns Miss Sandiford’s house, said they were still looking to have an injunction taken out against her, forcing her to give Winston up.

Martin Jackson, the housing association’s anti-social behaviour manager, said: “We’ve taken note of the outcome of the criminal case involving Miss Sandiford but it would be inappropriate to comment further until we’ve had the result of the civil case.”

A Royal Mail spokesman said: "We will reinstate deliveries as soon as we feel comfortable as far as our colleagues health and safety is concerned.”

[Himaggen]

on two leads, no shorter than 6ft long

Does that mean the dog will be considered safe and under control on two leads measuring one mile long each?

[Sidley]

Local breeder who lost an arm after being attacked by his own dogs arrested as American Bulldogs Attack couple.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/br ... rm-4476478" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[POSTMAN]

American bulldog must be rehomed after attacking Blackburn postman

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A DOG whose attack on a postman led to deliveries to two roads being suspended for more than a year must be rehomed, a court ruled.

Winston, an American bulldog, must be found a new home by the end of April after owner Hayley Sandiford, of Worcester Road, Blackburn, was taken to a civil court by her landlord, Twin Valley Homes.

Royal Mail deliveries in some parts of Shadsworth had been suspended since February last year after Winston attacked a postman.

The dog had run up to the delivery man, snatched a bundle of letters out of his hand and tried to bite him.

It is alleged that a similar incident happened in December involving another postal worker.

The post to Worcester Road and nearby Surrey Road is now due to resume on May 1 after Miss Sandiford and the housing association reached a settlement at Preston County Court which will see Winston removed.

Miss Sandiford, 29, must rehome the dog by 4pm on April 30 otherwise her tenancy is at risk.

Residents in the area, some of whom have missed hospital appointments because of lost or late letters, welcomed the news.

However they questioned why the decision had taken too long.


Currently, they have to make a four-and-a-half mile round trip to the Blackburn Delivery Office, in Canterbury Street, if they want to collect their mail.

David King, of Surrey Road, said: “It’s brilliant news if they are going to start up the deliveries again. We’ve waited a long time to get the mail back.

“My wife is disabled and having to go down to the depot every time we get a letter is hugely frustrating. I’m going down today but hopefully it will be one of the last times.

“It’s frustrating that it has taken so long for this to be sorted. We haven’t had much in the way of communication from Royal Mail either, which had added to the problem.”

Trevor Smith, also of Surrey Road, said Royal Mail should offer compensation to customers who had to pay for taxis and buses to collect their mail.

Mr Smith said: “They could have handled it a lot better and sorted it sooner. There are still Royal Mail vans parked at the far end of the street some days.

“I can’t understand why they stopped delivering to so many houses anyway. I’m not happy about it. I’ll believe the deliveries are restarting when I see it.”

Miss Sandiford, a mother-of-two, was given a six-month community order at Blackburn Magistrates’ Court in October after she pleaded guilty to being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control.

The court also ordered that Winston must be accompanied, muzzled, and kept on two leads when in public, while her garden must be securely fenced and adequately locked to prevent the animal from escaping.

Ian Bell, head of Twin Valley Homes, said: “We have had to commit significant resources to try and resolve this problem and we’re delighted to get this result.

“The people in the area have suffered due to a lack of a postal service and being in fear of this dog for too long, but now they can see an end in sight.

“The safety and wellbeing of our tenants is of paramount importance and our staff have worked very hard to get the best outcome for all concerned.”

Under the terms of the settlement, reached before Charles Garside QC last Thursday, Winston must be re-homed to someone who is not a tenant of Together Housing Group, Twin Valley Homes’ parent company.

It is Miss Sandiford’s responsibility to find the dog a new home.

A Royal Mail spokesman said: “We are pleased with this outcome. Once the dog has been re-homed, we will resume deliveries to customers with immediate effect.”

[TrueBlueTerrier]

WINSTON STRIKES AGAIN! Dangerous dog that attacked two Blackburn postmen causes mail delivery suspension in two more streets

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/ne ... e_streets/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A DANGEROUS dog that had attacked two postmen, resulting in a delivery ban, has now caused mail deliveries to be suspended in two more streets.

Residents in Brecon Road and Monmouth Road, Blackburn, have had no mail delivered since Monday after bosses at Royal Mail discovered American bulldog Winston was now living in the area.

But the four-day stand-off was set to come to an end today with Winston now believed to have been moved to a rescue centre out of Blackburn.

Residents in Worcester Road, also in the Whitebirk area of town, had deliveries suspended for around nine months after Winston attacked two posties, landing owner Hayley Sandiford in court as Royal Mail and Twin Valley Homes took action.

At the start of this week Winston was moved to a private property in Monmouth Street, out of Twin Valley’s jurisdiction, leading Royal Mail to take action.

But Royal Mail has now been given assurances that the dog has been moved out of the area — and deliveries are due to recommence.

Brecon Street resident Brian Holliday, who was awarded the MBE for his work with disabled people, said: “We received mail as normal on Monday but then nothing since. I did not get a letter explaining the situation. I had to call Royal Mail and they said it was due to a dangerous dog in the area and I had to go to the Canterbury Street delivery office to collect post.

“I have already missed one hospital appointment because I did not get a letter. It is ridiculous to expect residents to collect their post every day.

“I do not see why the whole area had to suffer. The dog was inside a flat anyway. It could not get out the front even if it wanted to.”

In February 2014, Winston bit a postie on the arm in Worcester Road after the animal escaped the grasp of a child who was holding on to it.

And then in July of that year a postie in Surrey Road, around the corner from Worcester Road, was confronted by the dog.

A court hearing was told that Winston ran towards the postie baring its teeth. The dog then snatched a bundle of mail out of his hand and the postie had to hide behind a tree before managing to get through a garden gate.

Royal Mail spokesman Val Bodden said: “Royal Mail temporarily suspended deliveries to a number of addresses in the Monmouth Road area of Blackburn following confirmation that a dangerous dog, which has attacked and bitten two of our postmen on previous occasions, had been rehomed there.

“We have been given assurances by the dog owner that the dog has been removed from the area altogether. We have therefore lifted the suspension to those properties in the vicinity of Monmouth Road. Deliveries will recommence today.

“Suspension of delivery is always a last resort and we sincerely apologise to customers for the inconvenience caused by this temporary suspension.”

[DGP1]

As much as I like dogs, this one is out of control, it really needs either put to sleep or put somewhere it can't interact with anybody beyond adult owners.