Alsation dog ordered to be put down after it bit postman

Lorraine Dawn Nassau, 55, of Sea End Road, Benington near Boston admitted to being the owner of a dangerous dog when she appeared at Boston Magistrates Court.

Prosecuting, Paul Wood said that David Reeson, a postman of 20 years service, went to Mrs Nassau's home to deliver a package on August 10.

He said Mr Reeson knew there were two German Shepherd dogs at the property but had been told it would be OK to go to the front door so long as the dogs were inside the house.

He said Mr Reeson walked up the driveway and heard the dogs barking inside the house, so he knocked on the door at which the door opened and both dogs 'charged out'.

Mr Wood said Mr Reeson turned to leave but both dog 'went around his legs' and one of the dogs bit him on the leg.

He said Mrs Nassau then came out and asked Mr Reeson if the dog had bitten him and on being told it had, said: “He only nips and runs.”

He said Mr Reeson returned to the van and received some treatment back at his depot but when he got home later he discovered he had puncture wounds and bruising.

Mr Wood said Mrs Nassau told police the dog was 'quite capable of opening the front door by itself' and that her husband 'had forgotten to lock the door'.

Mr Wood said Mrs Nassau had been formally cautioned by the police in July last year for owning a dangerous dog when the same dog attacked someone else and that meant it was mandatory in law for them to order the destruction of the dog unless they were satisfied it was not a danger.

Mitigating, Tony Davies said it was a 'terrible thing' to order a dog destroyed and said the dog was 'very protective' and had learnt to push the door handle down.

He said Mrs Nassau was willing to carry out work to the door to prevent the dog from opening it and also to send the dog on a training course to stop it attacking people.

However the magistrates ordered Mrs Nassau to pay compensation of £500 to the postman and ordered destruction of the dog within 28 days.

She was also ordered to pay £85 in court costs.

Mrs Nassau has the right to appeal to the Crown Court against the destruction of the dog within 21 days.