Caged inside a corner dairy
A Hamilton dairy owner has caged himself into his dairy after being attacked with a machete in March.
And many in the industry will be joining him in his fight against wouldbe robbers.
Emm Jay Dairy owner Sandip Patel has installed a metal cage with a magnetic door lock at the entrance of his Hamilton East store in an attempt to stop further attacks by dairy bandits.
In March, Patel, a father of two, required 30 stitches after being set upon by two youths and being struck in the head with a machete.
Patel said the cage, which was installed on Friday has eased his mind since the attack.
‘‘It makes me feel very safe now,’’ Patel said.
‘‘My regular customers like it very much. Everyone feels safe. I feel better now.’’
Patel said the cage and door cost him more than $3500 and many in the dairy industry in Hamilton planned to follow suit.
‘‘Many of my friends in the dairy business are going to buy it,’’ Patel said.
‘‘All the dairies in Hamilton could look like this by the end of the year.’’
Patel said since the attack his regular customers and those he doesn’t know have been very kind.
‘‘My customers are very kind through this,’’ Patel said.
‘‘This cage will help keep everyone safe.’’