Mail deliveries halted over dog running loose

Dozens of homes in Westhouses have not received any post since 17 September

Mail deliveries to several streets in a Derbyshire village have been suspended over fears Royal Mail staff could be attacked by a dangerous dog running loose.

About 70 homes in the vicinity of Midland Terrace in Westhouses have not received any post since 17 September.

Instead residents have to visit a sorting office in Somercotes to see if they have mail.

Derbyshire Police said it had spoken to the dog's owners and was working with Royal Mail to get deliveries restored.

Retired school librarian Margaret Gosley, 85, contacted the BBC after receiving a letter from Royal Mail.

It said deliveries to a number of roads in the area had been suspended over concerns about the dog escaping from its owner's garden.

"You feel very cut off, you wonder if anything important has come," she said.

"I do write letters to people and I have a birthday coming up soon and you wonder 'will I get any birthday cards?'"

Margaret Gosley was told of the issues in a letter from Royal Mail

Steven Moss, 52, who lives in Alport Terrace, said: "It's having a significant impact on me and my wife - she's recently been in hospital and is awaiting some letters from the hospital, as am I.

"We've had parcels delivered though and that's what I can't quite get my head around.

"If we're having parcels delivered could they not attach the letters at the same time?"

Concerns have been raised about the impact on those like Ross Hopkins, 66, who do not have cars.

"I don't drive so it means I have to get two buses to go and collect anything," he said.

"It's very inconvenient because there are elderly people in the village who have hospital appointments and various things."

Steven Moss said the issue was having an impact on his wife, who was waiting for news from the hospital

A Royal Mail spokesperson said: "Deliveries have been temporarily suspended until we judge it safe enough to resume them.

"We are in the process of putting in place alternative arrangements for any customers who contact us and are unable to get to the delivery office to collect their mail.

"Thankfully, incidents like this are rare, but we take these matters extremely seriously.

"Our hardworking postmen and women serve their communities throughout the week and should be allowed to carry out their job safely."

Derbyshire Police said it received reports of a dog being dangerously out of control in Westhouses in April.

It said the owner of the dog had been spoken to in relation to keeping his property secure – and has also signed a voluntary control order which will be monitored by officers.

Ross Hopkins described the situation as "very inconvenient"

Bolsover District Council said its enforcement team attended a report of a dog straying from a property on Midland Terrace in April.

When approached, the dog made its way back to a property which was established to be its home.

The owner was not in at the time, so the property was made secure to prevent further straying and the owner was issued with a community protection notice warning requiring the dog be prevented from straying going forward.

On 9 September, the enforcement team received reports regarding the same dog straying. Officers attended and again the dog returned to the same property.

The owner was issued with a £100 fixed penalty notice for a breach of a public spaces protection order.

The BBC knocked at the door of the house where residents say the dog is kept, but there was no reply.