Owner fined after pet dog bit postman during morning delivery round

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Royal Mail said it took legal action to send a message to the public that dog attacks on posties will not be tolerated

A postman needed five weeks off work after being bitten by a dog on his round, a court has heard.

Carmarthen-based postman Simon Morris tried to fend off the dog with letters he was delivering when Travis the Weimeraner pounced at a property in Llanllwch.

Police decided not to prosecute the owner Michael Gardiner over the incident after he agreed to muzzle and keep the dog on a lead in public.

However, Royal Mail took the decision to take the matter to court.

Prosecutor for Royal Mail Rhys Thomas said at the start of the case at Llanelli Magistrates Court: “This is no reflection on Mr Gardiner, this case is in the public interest because it is an issue for postmen.

“The message needs to go out that it can’t happen to postmen, that dogs cause injury to postmen going about their duty.”

Retired teacher, Michael Gardiner, aged 67, pleaded guilty to one count of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control.

Mr Thomas told the court: “The incident happened on November 24 last year at Mr Gardiner’s property in Llanllwch.

“The complainant, Simon Morris, had been there previously and was aware of the dog - a Weimeraner.

“The dog was not on any Royal Mail list of dogs for postmen to be aware of.”

The court heard Mr Morris had gone to the back door of the property to deliver a parcel.

It was then that the 10 year-old dog, named Travis, ran out in front of Mr Gardiner who was going to greet the postman.


Mr Thomas said Mr Morris tried to fend off the dog hitting it with letters he was holding.

“Mr Gardiner was shouting for the dog to come away and it was then that it bit the left forearm of Mr Morris.”

Mr Gardiner took hold of Travis and immediately apologised to the postman - offering a hot drink and bandaging the wound.

At hospital Mr Morris was treated for the puncture wound and was off work for five weeks, along with follow up care.

Defence solicitor David Williams said Mr Gardiner was very concerned at the attack and offered to take Mr Morris to hospital.

He also visited the sorting office in Carmarthen to speak to Mr Morris’ bosses and offered to put the dog down.

However Mr Morris did not want that and arrangements have seen a post box placed at the bottom of the driveway for post.

Mr Williams said: “Mr Gardiner and his wife have owned dogs for many years and Travis is the third Weimeraner they have had.”

“Travis is an old dog and has no history of violence. This was an isolated incident.”

Magistrates fined Mr Gardiner £300 for the offence, along with £750 court costs and £30 victim surcharge.