Demands that 'fierce' dog is impounded

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Demands that 'fierce' dog is impounded after Royal Mail refuse to deliver mail in West Wales village

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Residents from a Swansea Valley community, who have not had their mail delivered in more than a week after a postwoman was “cornered” by a large dog, are calling for the animal to be impounded.

Royal Mail suspended deliveries in part of Ystalyfera after a postwoman was subjected to what it called a “terrifying” 30 minute ordeal.

Residents of the Zoar Road area, where the Mastiff dog and its elderly owner live, had to travel five miles to Pontardawe to pick up mail.

'It's quite fierce'

Now an old delivery office has been re-opened in Ystalyfera, allowing residents to pick up mail closer to home while the matter is dealt with.

Canal Terrace resident Catt Spence, who has been affected by the temporary mail ban, said: “They should impound the dog if that could be a solution.”

Residents from a Swansea Valley community, who have not had their mail delivered in more than a week after a postwoman was “cornered” by a large dog, are calling for the animal to be impounded.

Royal Mail suspended deliveries in part of Ystalyfera after a postwoman was subjected to what it called a “terrifying” 30 minute ordeal.

Residents of the Zoar Road area, where the Mastiff dog and its elderly owner live, had to travel five miles to Pontardawe to pick up mail.

'It's quite fierce'

Now an old delivery office has been re-opened in Ystalyfera, allowing residents to pick up mail closer to home while the matter is dealt with.

Canal Terrace resident Catt Spence, who has been affected by the temporary mail ban, said: “They should impound the dog if that could be a solution.”

“I don’t drive and it’s been difficult getting hold of mail.”

Local councillor Alun Llewelyn has been liaising with Royal Mail and the dog’s owner and is hoping for a quick resolution to the problem.

He said: “I was a big taken aback at the media interest in the story.

'Frightening experience'

“Nevertheless the postwoman was subjected to a very frightening experience, if not actually bitten.

“With Christmas approaching we need to ensure the problem is solved and I’m glad a more local pick-up point for mail has now been arranged.”

Postal services have been suspended in the streets around Zoar Road, Canal Terrace and Prospect Place, the area where the dog was seen.

A Royal Mail spokesman said: “Customers impacted by current suspension in the Zoar Road area can now pick up mail from outside the old Ystalyfera Delivery Office , Darren Road, Ystalyfera, until such time that normal deliveries resume.”

Royal Mail Wales spokeswoman Val Bodden added: “The dog was already known to us and in July this year the owner responded to our request to install a box at the gate to enable the delivery person to deliver without entering the property.

On average eight postmen and women attacked every day

“However, on Monday of last week the dog was loose on neighbouring Prospect Place and the postwoman had to seek refuge.

“The safety and welfare of our staff is paramount and the suspension of delivery is always a last resort and we sincerely apologise to customers for the inconvenience caused by this temporary suspension.”

On average, eight postmen and women a day are attacked by dogs across the UK with over 2,960 attacks taking place from April 2014 to April 2015, some leading to a permanent disabling injury.

A new crackdown will see Royal Mail launch private prosecutions on dog owners if postmen are attacked, even if police dismiss the case.

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Postal services to return to Ystalyfera after police seize dog that attacked postwoman

POSTAL services have been reinstated in a Swansea Valley village, after a dog which attacked a postwoman was seized by police.

Following the incident, Royal Mail suspended deliveries in part of Ystalyfera, meaning residents in the village had to travel miles to collect their post.

A Royal Mail spokesman said: "Deliveries to residents in the Zoar Road area of Ystalyfera have been reinstated this morning following a police report that the dog has been impounded. We will be monitoring the situation on a daily basis and we apologise to any customers who have been inconvenienced.

"The safety of our staff is of the utmost importance to Royal Mail and suspension of deliveries is always a last resort."

A spokesman for South Wales Police said: "Officers have executed a warrant to seize a dog in the Ystalyfera area.

"The dog has been the subject of several complaints from members of the public and an investigation is continuing."