Postie's arm saved after dog attack

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/cn_news ... ?id=377279

SURGEONS have saved the arm of a postman who was attacked by two rottweilers as he was making his Christmas deliveries.

The 54-year-old underwent a six-hour operation following the attack in Gazeley Lane, Trumpington, Cambridge.

He suffered severe arm injuries when he was savaged by the dogs which were immediately put down on the orders of their owner.

Fellow postman Robert Fox, visited his friend in Addenbrooke's Hospital on Christmas Eve after surgeons battled to save his arm.

Mr Fox said: "He is making good progress. Surgeons did manage to save his arm."

A spokesman for the Communications Workers' Union said: "We want to see the police taking dog attacks more seriously - too often they don't, although some forces are better than others.

"Too often we are pushing for action and giving police advice on the law and what they can do."

He said the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act had "failed" and called for new legislation to allow the authorities to act earlier, with anti-social behaviour orders (Asbos) for dogs.

The spokesman said: "There seems to be a cartoon caricature image of dogs biting postmen. Being attacked by a dog is not funny."

The postman, from Royston, was covering the round for the regular postman when the dogs got past the gates of a large property.

Bricklayer Anthony Lunn, who was visiting an ex-customer in the street, tried to fight off the dogs with an iron bar and then ran one of them over with his van.

Cambridgeshire police said they were making inquiries.

The Royal Mail has launched its own investigation.




Published: 30/12/2008