While episodes involving postmen and dogs can sometimes be regarded in a light-hearted way, it is clear that a case which was resolved at the High Court in Dublin yesterday and resulted in a compensation award of €103,000 was a particularly serious one.
The victim, James McCreary (53) said he feared for his life when he attacked by the German Shepherd dog which ran through an open gate as he took mail from his van in north Co Dublin in October, 2014.
He had previously expressed concerns about the animal, and was left with permanent scars and post traumatic stress disorder after he was knocked to the ground and repeatedly bitten on the chest and legs.
The message must be that aggressive dogs can present a threat to people of all ages and backgrounds and need to be kept under firm control by their owners.
