Terrier at centre of postage dispute: Royal Mail suspends deliveries after allegedly ‘attacking’ postman

The 12-year-old Patterdale Terrier is the “security alarm” for residents in Alan Gutridge Drive, where mostly pensioners live in 18 two-bedroom bungalows on a shared property.

Opinions about the action vary in the region.

“We all received a letter from our management company on Thursday afternoon stating that Royal Mail deliveries had been suspended with immediate effect,” said resident Eileen Jones.

“We are all outraged by this.”

The letter refers to an “incident” which, according to Ms Jones, occurred because Brian, who is 14 inches tall, escaped from his owner’s house and was “barking”.

It is understood a “dog attack” was reported to police and the county council following an incident on the street last Saturday. The Royal Mail says the delivery ban is a temporary measure while further investigations are carried out.

Mrs Jones said: “Brian is our security dog, he alerts us when people are around. We all know him here, I think he’s a rescue dog, and when his owner opens the door he runs off.”

“I think this is an isolated case and has been completely blown out of proportion.”

Ms Jones added that the indefinite suspension of deliveries had come without notice and had put residents, some of whom had mobility issues, in a difficult position.