Dogsey

A damgerous bulldog faces being put down after it terrorised local postmen who then refused to deliver to its owner's whole street - meaning dozens of families have been forced to walk miles to collect their post.

The seven stone American bulldog, named Winston, was under threat of a death sentence in court today after his attacks sparked a health and safety enquiry.

His repeated attacks on postmen led to a ban on all postal deliveries to the whole of Worcester Street in Blackburn, Lancashire, which came into force in February this year.

Residents from the 60 homes affected have had to travel two miles to collect their mail from the Blackburn delivery office.

And one disabled neighbour, who feared he had cancer, missed an important letter from the hospital because it remained undelivered due to the ban.

Clive Fisher, 69, was waiting for a letter from Royal Blackburn Hospital oncology unit after being referred by his GP because he was exhibiting signs of cancer.

He said: 'An appointment letter was left undelivered and at the sorting office for days because of that dog.

'There's only a short time to treat disorders like this and I know there's lots of people on this road with illnesses or disabilities.

'I'm disabled but I'm lucky I have a car. A lot of my neighbours don't, or are unable to drive.'

One postman reported being bitten on the arm and had to kick the dog twice in the head to fend him off.

Another said Winston bounded 100 yards towards him before clamping his teeth around the mailbag.

He had to cower behind a tree and throw his one remaining letter to distract the animal before diving behind a gate and alerting a colleague to take cover.

Winston's owner Hayley Sandiford was ordered to keep her dog under control or face having him put down under a Contingent Destruction Order after one of the postment told JPs at Blackburn magistrates' court of his ordeal and warned the dog would attack again.

Now the dog must remain muzzled and kept on a harness with two dog leads no more than six feet long whenever he is taken out for walks. He must also only be accompanied by a person over 16.