Injured postie delivers appeal to dog owners

A DUNDEE postman has spoken for the first time after being attacked by a dog while working.

It comes after new figures revealed that 26 posties were attacked in the past year in Dundee — the second highest in Scotland, behind Glasgow.

Thomas Smith, 51, was doing his regular Broughty Ferry route when a dog bit him on the calf.

The postman today told the Tele that he is now “always on tenterhooks” following the incident.

He said: “I went to one customer’s door and delivered mail.

“The boy opened the door because his wife had just pulled up in the car and the dog came flying out and bit me on the leg.

“I had no time to react. I only saw it out of the corner of my eye. There was no warning at all.

“He was only looking after the dog, so it wasn’t usually there.

“I know the houses where I need to be careful but I wasn’t expecting it from that particular house.

“The couple ran out and managed to get the dog off me but the damage was done by that time.”

After receiving puncture wounds during the attack, Thomas went to Ninewells for a tetanus shot and he was later prescribed medication.

He explained: “I was on antibiotics for six weeks.

“I have arthritis and I had to stop taking my medication for that to take the antibiotics, so I was in considerable pain from that as well as the dog bite. “What if that had been a child?” Thomas has spoken of his ordeal, which took place in June, as Royal Mail encourages responsible dog ownership during Dog Awareness Week.

Thomas, from Broughty Ferry, wants to raise awareness of the issue in the hope that dog owners take into consideration the danger postmen face.

He added: “I think it must be the red shirt we wear.

“I think that people need to think about the fact that postmen need to deliver parcels to them and they should make sure their dogs can’t get to them.

“I’m a dog l over myself and my dog is a softie but I still don’t risk it.”

Rob Jenson, operations director for the firm, said: “We know that the overwhelming majority of dogs are friendly most of the time.

“However, even the most placid animal will defend itself if it feels its territory is being threatened.

“Our first priority as an employer is to ensure the welfare and safety of our people, who provide a valuable service to our customers.

“This summer we are appealing to dog owners and their families to help reduce the numbers of attacks, particularly at the door and in the garden.”

Thomas Smith at home. The postie was attacked by a dog and was taken to hospital for treatment as a result.