Postman to sue dog's owners over attack

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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A POSTMAN who was savaged by two dogs in Cambridge has launched a civil action against their owner.

Keith Davies, 54, almost lost an arm when the rottweilers attacked him while he delivered Christmas cards outside businessman Robert Stewart's £1.3 million mansion in Trumpington on December 22, 2008.

Charges against Mr Stewart, 44, and his daughter Emma Stewart, 22, of Gazeley Road, Trumpington, were thrown out in February after a judge said there had been 'an abuse of process' by the prosecution.

Mr Davies was saved by bricklayer Anthony Lunn, who fought off the animals with an iron bar and ran one over with his van.

The Communications Workers Union, which represents postal workers, has confirmed that Mr Davies is taking a civil action against the Stewarts as it called for tougher laws on dog owners.

The action comes as the News learned that there have been 203 dog attacks in Cambridgeshire in the last three years.

Steve Butts, area delivery rep for Cambridge and Stevenage, said: "These figures are shocking and go to show that action must be taken before a postman is killed. "We have launched a campaign called 'Bite Back' to get the Government to toughen up the law. The Dangerous Dogs Act is not working. Dog owners need to be held responsible for their animals. "

The judge in Mr Davies' case did point the way to a civil action and that is what the family are doing." The case against the Stewarts hinged on the issue that the Dangerous Dogs Act is concerned with public places - and the incident happened in a private cul-de-sac.

Judge Gareth Hawkesworth ruled at Cambridge Crown Court against the prosecution's argument that the road was public, and acquitted the pair.

Mr Stewart, former chairman of Royston Town Football Club, and his daughter had both denied two counts of allowing a dangerous dog to enter a non-public place and subsequently cause injury.

Figures released to the News under the Freedom of Information Act show the shocking extent of dog attacks in Cambridge and the county as a whole.

In 2007 there were 67 dog attacks, 64 the following year, 61 last year and 11 so far this year. They included 109 in the Cambridge area.

Six thousand postal workers are attacked by dogs every year in the UK, according to the postal workers' union. The dogs which attacked Mr Davies were put down after the attack.

Before Parliament broke up for the general election, the Government was considering changes to the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act.

In future, all dog owners could be forced to pay for insurance to cover the injuries inflicted by dogs they own, as well as the cost - roughly £100 - for microchipping them.

Police would also be allowed to take action against animals out of control on private property.

Private roads - like Mr Stewart's, where the attack took place - were excluded from the 1991 legislation

[NWpostie]

The owners have no shame