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Royal Mail has stopped deliveries to a Southmead man's home after his son’s dog bit a postwoman.

Steven Wood appeared at Bristol Magistrates’ Court after the American Bulldog sunk its teeth into Gemma Notton’s calf.

The 66-year-old, of Glencoyne Square, admitted being in charge of a dangerously out of control animal, causing Ms Notton injuries which became infected and required antibiotics.

The cancer-ridden dog was put down and Royal Mail stopped delivering post to Wood’s house after the postwoman was attacked there on July 13 last year.

The magistrates, at the hearing on February 20, ordered Wood to pay £367 but he avoided a ban on owning pets – meaning he can keep his chihuahua.

Prosecutor Kevin Blackmore said: “Ms Notton was delivering post in Glencoyne Square at about 1.30pm, when she entered the front yard of Mr Wood’s property.

“Access to the garden was gained via a small wooden gate. To the left of the front door was a garden bench.

“Ms Notton saw something white on the bench and thought it was a blanket.”

'It jumped off the bench'

After posting Wood’s mail through his door, Ms Notton realised the blanket was a large dog.

“It jumped off the bench and made its way towards her, barking,” Mr Blackmore continued.

“As she neared the gate, she turned to make a rapid exit. But as she opened the gate, the dog bit her right calf.”

Bleeding heavily, Ms Notton managed to leave the yard and shut the gate.

She needed a tetanus injection and when her wound became infected, she required antibiotics.

The prosecutor added: “Mr Wood was interviewed about the matter on August 6.

“He was aware of the incident because he had been informed by Royal Mail that deliveries had been stopped.

“He said the dog belonged to his son, but he agreed he was in charge of it at the time.

“The defendant accepted 99 per cent responsibility, and believed the victim should take one per cent, saying she should have rattled the gate and checked the garden before entering.”

'Tragic'

Ian Kelcey, mitigating, described the case as a “tragic set of events” and argued his client had “somewhat limited” liability.

He said: “Mr Wood’s son had been rushed into hospital two days earlier. This was a docile dog who had never caused problems before.

"Afterwards, Mr Wood took the dog to the vets for an explanation, and the vet indicated the dog had cancer which was in quite a progressive state.

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“That may answer why the dog behaved as it did. It has since been put down.”

When Mr Kelcey argued Wood should not be disqualified from owning a dog and pointed out his only other pet is a chihuahua, the magistrates broke out in laughter.

Mr Kelcey smiled and said: “I’m glad you see the funny side.”

Presiding Justice Deborah Merrick told Wood: “We are satisfied the dog was not known to be aggressive and you could not reasonably have foreseen this could have happened.”

Noting his remorse and the promptness with which he got a vet’s advice, Ms Merrick opted against making a disqualification order.