Dog attack

A Devon street has not had any mail deliveries for the past nine weeks after a dog attacked a postwoman.

Residents in Spearfield Close, South Molton, have had to collect their mail from a sorting office after a Royal Mail employee was bitten on November 19.

A spokesman for Royal Mail told the North Devon Journal: "As a caring and responsible employer, Royal Mail takes very seriously the safety of its employees.

"Unfortunately following a serious dog attack on one of our delivery staff in Spearfield Close we took the decision to suspend the delivery of mail to addresses in the road as we could not guarantee the future safety of our employees."

Residents are said to believe the Royal Mail over-reacted and have found it an inconvenience going to the sorting office, especially over Christmas and during the bad weather.

Police are dealing with the dog attack and the postal service is now thought to have returned to normal.

Copyright © Press Association 2009

Katrina Elsey from Irwin Mitchell Solicitors commented, "Employers do have a duty to ensure the safety and welfare of employees. Members of the public are urged to ensure that their dogs are kept under control and not to let their dogs loose to roam the streets."