Meltham dog attack: Postman needs major plastic surgery on injured arm

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/west-yor ... s-11768538" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A postman savaged by a dog in Meltham faces a series of operations on his injured arm.

The postman, in his 20s and known only as Jack, worked out of the Holmfirth Delivery Office.

He was attacked by a Staffy-type dog as he delivered mail in Golcar Brow Road, Meltham, last month.

A neighbour, Robert Dickinson, battered the dog with a shovel to get it to release its grip.

The postman suffered serious arm injuries and now faces extensive plastic surgery. It is likely to be months until he is fit enough to work again.

After a second dog attack in the same Copley Avenue area, Royal Mail suspended deliveries to 120 homes, forcing people to collect their own post.

The suspension remains in place after the Royal Mail demanded assurances from police that their staff would be safe.

A spokesman for the postal workers’ union, the Communications Workers’ Union, said that ‘Jack’ did not want to talk about his ordeal and was “focusing on recovering both physically and mentally.”

The spokesman added: “He remains off work recovering and has serious arm injuries requiring several plastic surgery operations.

“He has now been released from hospital and will be off for some time and on medication and may need further operations.

“A brave good Samaritan neighbour saved Jack from worse injury.”

The Royal Mail confirmed the suspension of local deliveries remained in place but declined to comment further.

The company said previously that safety and welfare of its staff was paramount and the suspension of deliveries was a last resort.

It threatened private prosecutions against dog owners who refused to keep their animals under control.