Postman savaged by dogs

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/cn_news ... ?ID=376140

A POSTMAN had his arm torn apart by two rottweilers in a savage attack as he was making his Christmas deliveries.

The 30-year-old was attacked in Gazeley Lane, Trumpington, Cambridge, yesterday morning near a detached house in the quiet, suburban street.

Bricklayer Anthony Lunn, who was visiting an ex-customer in the street, tried to fight the dogs off using an iron bar - but they came at him.

Mr Lunn, 44, then got into his van and ran one of the dogs over. While revving his engine to ward off the other dog, he called the emergency services.

Mr Lunn, a father of two who lives in Cambridge, was helped by his son.

He told the News: "The police said we saved his life. But I only did what anyone else would have done."

The postman, who was filling in for an injured colleague, was taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital by paramedics.

Initial reports suggested his arm had been severed.

Neighbours described the postman's injuries as "horrific" and said the dogs had left severe bite wounds on his arm, back and legs.

The dogs were reported to have been sent for destruction.

Mr Lunn was first alerted to the attack when he heard the man's screams. He said: "I ran over with an iron bar when my son told me a man was being attacked by a dog. When I approached the dogs, they both ran at me. I retreated back to my van and ran one of them over. But every time I got out of the van, the other dog came at me.

"I got on the phone to the ambulance and police, and kept revving the engine to distract the dog until it stopped mauling him. It eventually stopped, but after a long time. He was in a huge amount of agony."

A Royal Mail spokeswoman said: "We are shocked by this incident and will be urgently investigating as to what happened. In the meantime, our thoughts are with our colleague and his family."

Paramedics were called at 10.45am.

Reports suggested the two dogs were still present while they tended to the injured man. An ambulance service spokesman said crews had been "traumatised" by the incident.

The East Anglian Air Ambulance also landed at nearby Clay Farm, so Magpas medics on board could give support.

At noon yesterday, six police vehicles remained at the scene and a cordon was in place in front of the house.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

This has to be the worst story I have heard about dogs and Postman. I hope his injuries are not as severe as reported.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery and I hope he is not too traumatised by this.

[i love mail sort]

It pisses me off when i read stories like this they should fine the owners big time and ban them for having any more pets.

[DGP1]

It pisses me off when i read stories like this they should fine the owners big time and ban them for having any more pets.

My personal preference would be to put the owners down because it's their fault, not the dogs.

Rottweilers are a proud and noble breed. Their imposing appearance and protective instincts have made them a prized guard dog for centuries, but properly trained the breed can just as easily be groomed to be a calm and loyal companion.

The Rottweiler’s inherent nature is that of a confident and courageous protector, incredibly devoted to its family and reserved or occasionally aggressive toward strangers. Males tend to be quiet and stoic, and may attack a perceived intruder without warning their targets with a growl or bark; females are more prone to barking, especially when protecting their home or young.

[Thorby Bislam]

We can argue who's fault it is later. Right now my thoughts are with our colleage. If anyone can gather any more info, please post it here.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Apparently he was operated on yesterday and it is thought he has not lost his arm. Will keep members updated where possible.

Times: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/u ... 389038.ece

BBC (with video) http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/engl ... 797370.stm

Guardian http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/dec/2 ... -christmas

Channel 4 http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/u ... ck/2891572

Mail On Line http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... cards.html

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/cn_news ... ?ID=376480

WORKMATES of a postman who had his arm torn apart by two rottweilers have rallied round their stricken pal.

Keith Davies, 54, was attacked as he made Christmas deliveries on Gazeley Lane, Trumpington, and has undergone a second round of surgery at Addenbrooke's Hospital.

Royal Mail said he was making "steady progress", having suffered serious injuries, but mercifully the arm was not severed.

Mr Davies was only saved by brave bricklayer Anthony Lunn, 44, who fought off the dogs with an iron bar, before one of the hounds turned on him.

He leapt in his van and ran one of the dogs over to keep it away from Mr Davies, and revved his engine to fend off the other dog until emergency services arrived.

Police said the dogs had been destroyed after the attack.

Officers have launched an investigation. Robert Fox, who worked with Mr Davies at the delivery office on Henley Road in Cambridge, said colleagues were worried about him.

He said: "Everyone is concerned about him and his health, and we are anxious to see how he is getting on.

"I would have gone to see him yesterday (tues) but he was in surgery, so I'm hoping to go today.

"We do have an ongoing problem with dogs, although attacks are not usually this serious, and we would like to pass on our appreciation to the chap who intervened - I think he quite possibly saved Keith's life."

Mr Fox is an officer on the Cambridge branch of the postal worker's union, CWU, who have been campaigning for tougher laws against dangerous dogs.

Another postman and union official, Mark Toner, said: "We are not anti dogs but we need to be protected from them."

Mr Davies, who lives in Royston, had been a postman in Cambridge for five years.

Witnesses described his injuries as "horrific", with severe bite wounds on his arms, back and legs.

The dog owners were not thought to be in their £1.3 million home at the time of the attack, on Monday morning.

A police spokeswoman said officers would try to speak to Mr Davies as soon as they are able to, and that they were trying to find out whether the road on which he was attacked was a public or private lane.

Having a dog dangerously out of control in a public place is illegal.

[brothermagrew]

First may I sincerely wish our unfortunate work colleague a full and speedy recovery from his injuries as a result of this horrific incident involving two rottweilers. There does however seem to be a discrepancy in the actual age of the postie who was horrifically mauled. Some sources say (30) whilst others say (54).

Looks like the CWU Health and Safety Department will be having to make further calls on this Labour government to amend the Dangerous Dogs Act as it currently stands. But will they listen, I doubt it very much!

And from reading at least one report:
'He was attacked in the area of the property and outside the property. Officers are trying to ascertain whether the road on which he was attacked was a private or public lane.'

The animals' owner could face prosecution under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.

A Royal Mail spokesman said: 'One of our postmen was taken to hospital after he was attacked by two dogs while out delivering in the Cambridge area yesterday.

'Thankfully, he is making steady progress in hospital today, however we are, of course, shocked by this incident and are urgently investigating what happened.
'Regrettably, dog attacks are a hazard faced by our employees - we record about 5,000 animal attacks on our postmen and women a year, with the vast majority being dogs.'

Thing being was it on public land or on private property?

[DGP1]

Would the regular postman have known that there were 2 dangerous dogs and have known to avoid them? With more and more duties being covered on an ad-hoc basis, this kind of thing will happen more often.

[brothermagrew]

It pisses me off when i read stories like this they should fine the owners big time and ban them for having any more pets.

Would strongly disagree with you on this one, I would at the very least expect a long custodial sentence for the owner or owners of these dogs.

[Darren Bent]

If I seen those two rottwelliers loose I wouldn't attempt the delivery.

Let hope the postman recover ok.

[Thorby Bislam]

I would at the very least expect a long custodial sentence for the owner or owners of these dogs.

It's unlikely. The key element is intent, or lack of it. They wont have intended their dogs to attack anyone. However if the dogs had attacked someone previously, then they should throw the book at them.

This is a lesson to us all to keep our walk logs up to date. So that our cover duties know where the hazards are.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

We have these in re-directions so that even if a cover does not read the walk log (which you should) they will at least get some warning.

dog card.jpg

We even use for the ones that snatch or attack the letter box.

[brothermagrew]

I would at the very least expect a long custodial sentence for the owner or owners of these dogs.

It's unlikely. The key element is intent, or lack of it. They wont have intended their dogs to attack anyone. However if the dogs had attacked someone previously, then they should throw the book at them.

This is a lesson to us all to keep our walk logs up to date. So that our cover duties know where the hazards are.

Whilst readily agreeing that there is a requirement to keep walk logs up to date so that cover duties know where the hazards are, I can't agree that the key element is intent, or lack of it. Granted all dog owners or more properly, the more responsible owners, held to account for their dogs behaviour, would not have intended their dogs to attack anyone. But that after all is their usual get out of it clause.

Surely the key element is that the owner or owners of the 2 dogs or the person/s for the time being in charge of the two dogs namely rottweilers did allow the said dogs to be dangerously out of control. What has not yet been made clear by the Police (or they have yet to establish) is on whether the attack took place on private or public land.

If the said dogs were dangerously out of control in a public place whereby said dogs attacked Keith Davies to his severe injury then said owner/s are guilty of an aggravated offence. Contrary to the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, Section 3(1).

Certainly also think that some sort of recognition award should be made to the brave brickie by Royal Mail.

[Pat Ostman]

Certainly also think that some sort of recognition award should be made to the brave brickie by Royal Mail.

Totally agree