Latest news with #postman
BBC News
02-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Postman suffers 'worst nightmare' dog attack in Sheffield
A postman said his "worst nightmare" came true when he was attacked by two Rottweilers and suffered injuries to his arm, head and the end of last year, Alan Spear was delivering a parcel to a property in Sheffield when a small child opened the door and two large dogs ran out from behind of them jumped at Mr Spear, causing him to roll down the sloped garden and hit the front wall. While he laid on the floor, one of the dogs jumped on top of him and the other bit his arm."I was not on death's door, but it could have been a child that knocked - it could have been a hell of a lot worse," he said. The owner was "mortified" after coming out of the house to "drag the dog" away and ultimately chose to have one of the animals put to sleep, Mr Spear said."He was in bits at what happened, and he was shocked," he workers in the Sheffield area were more likely to be attacked by dogs than anywhere else, with 66 dog attacks in 2024/25, and 41 the previous year, according to Royal Mail. 'They're protecting their families' Mr Spear said it was a "misconception" that posties did not like dogs and most understood the animals' protective nature."There's just an unpredictability with dogs," he said."A dog may seem very relaxed with you, however if it thinks someone is threatening its house, it will react."Dogs are territorial, they are protecting their families; it's not their fault."Mr Spear required antibiotics and a tetanus jab after the attack, then a further course of antibiotics after the wound became infected."When I banged my back on the wall, that took quite a long time to get better. I still do get some back pain even now," he said."I have seen life-changing injuries from dog attacks. It's not a joke at all."He recommended people put a cage on their letterbox, so dogs do not try and bite postal workers' better, he said, would be to have an external post box at the front of the house."Lying on the ground - it was quite scary," he said."To say I was fortunate is an understatement."Royal Mail recorded almost 2,200 dog attacks on staff in the UK last year.A spokesperson said: "Royal Mail continues to call on the public to be vigilant and responsible by securing their pets before opening the door to receive mail or packages." Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
Irish Times
26-06-2025
- Irish Times
‘He was perfect, a one-off': Pensioner killed in London is remembered as proud Kilkenny man
John Mackey, the 87-year-old Irish man who died after being attacked while walking home from grocery shopping in north London, will be remembered as a man 'with a twinkle in his eye', his funeral heard on Thursday. Originally from Callan, Co Kilkenny, Mr Mackey had been living in London since the age of 19. He was running errands on the afternoon of May 6th when he was allegedly assaulted near his home close to Goodchild Road. He suffered serious head injuries and died in hospital two days later. On Thursday, his remains were carried into the Church of the Assumption in his south Kilkenny hometown by six pallbearers, a number of whom were his nephews. READ MORE A guard of honour was provided by retired Irish UN peacekeepers, as one of Mr Mackey's brothers is a former member. His coffin was adorned with two flags, representing his beloved Arsenal Football Club and the county colours of Kilkenny. There was also a photograph of Mr Mackey wearing his trilby hat. Mementos of his life were brought to the altar by members of his extended family. Parish priest Fr William Dalton said Mr Mackey's trilby exemplified how he had always been a dapper dresser with a love of good clothes. The Callan flag, and a book on the town by John Fitzgerald that had brought Mr Mackey memories of his beloved county, were included, as well as a photo of him with two nephews and his brother Christy. John Mackey worked as a postman in Callan before moving to England where he became a loyal part of the Irish community, his funeral heard. Photograph: Sarah Murphy There were his rosary beads which were said to have helped him through his long, happy and fruitful life. Fr Dalton told mourners they were there 'to say farewell as a person with faith which helped him through a long and happy life'. 'When we think of the Mackeys in the 1930s and 1940s, a family of 11 children, six boys and five girls, a very Catholic family. Their mother died when the eldest of the children was 15 and to make matters worse their father was taken from them. It was a time when there were no social services and no children's allowance, but they were able to survive,' he said. He recalled how their sister Kitty reared the children, enabling them to live together as a family. 'Most of them in time went to England with some returning.' Mr Mackey, he said, had worked as a postman in Callan before moving to England in 1956 where he worked for a pharmaceutical company. 'There he would spend his life and would become immersed in the culture [and] integrated into society. He became a devout Arsenal fan and a loyal part of the Irish community there. Part of him will always be with us, even though there is a void, the memories of him will always be with us.' In her eulogy, his sister Betty recalled how her brother had been well-known in Callan before his departure. Pat, the eldest of Mr Mackey's 22 nieces and nephews remembered 'the perfect uncle' who 'always had a twinkle in his eye, always smelling of lovely aftershave'. 'He was a new age man, many [women] had tried to get him to the altar but failed. One woman almost got him there, but John forgot his wallet on Christmas Eve at 4.55pm and the jewellers were closing,' she said. She recalled spending time with him in Finsbury Park, trying to get him to eat Chinese food. 'But, no, he had to have his fry with chips. We all remember such happy times, he was a one-off. We are so incredibly lucky to have had him as our uncle.' Mr Mackey was one of 11 siblings and is survived by four. He was buried in Kilbride Cemetery. A man has been arrested and charged with Mr Mackey's murder and with robbery.
Tahawul Tech
26-06-2025
- Business
- Tahawul Tech
drone deliveries Archives
If you're a postman, look away now. Speedy home deliveries via drones are no longer science fiction myths. How soon can we expect this kind of service here in the Middle East, and how will it benefit the region's enterprises?
BBC News
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Surprise letters for Bladon's postman of more than 40 years
The BBC has surprised a postman who has retired after more than four decades with messages from Hogg said he "loved" being the postman in Bladon, Oxfordshire, for 41 years - but that he was looking forward to having a lie Radio Oxford's Adam Ball surprised him with messages from village residents, who said they would "miss [Mr Hogg] something terrible".The villagers also threw a surprise "thank you" party for Mr Hogg at The White House, their local community pub. Mr Hogg said his job was about more than just delivering mail, adding: " I would always try and look out for the vulnerable residents as sometimes I think I was their only contact with the outside world."He also said he always carried dog treats for the canines he encountered on his journalist: Chris Wood You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
The Sun
28-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
Shock moment Royal Mail postman KICKS tiny puppy Bella after it bounded over at owner's door
A "CRUEL" Royal Mail postie has been caught on camera KICKING a customer's "attention-loving" puppy in the face. Nikki Walker, 49, was working from home last month when cockapoo Bella heard the garden gate open and jumped out of a ground floor window. 7 7 Moments later Nicki heard the one-year-old pup yelp in pain and rushed to the front door to question a Royal Mail postman who had just delivered some letters. She says the rude worker denied kicking Bella and told her to "do what the f**k she wants" when she threatened to check her doorcam footage. Nikki was appalled to discover footage on the doorcam of the Royal Mail postie booting her pooch in the face. The shocking video shows Bella run over to the postman who turns around and kicks the rescue dog in the face with his right boot. Squealing, Bella is launched backwards in mid-air and runs off a couple of seconds before Nikki appears at the front door. Nikki claims the postie told her he simply "put my leg up to stop Bella from jumping" but she believes he was lying. The mum-of-four says she was "absolutely fuming" while reviewing the footage and has complained to Royal Mail. She says they offered her £100 and a home visit from a staff member to apologise, but she rejected the latter as she wanted all correspondence in writing. Nikki claims Royal Mail have since threatened to suspend deliveries to her address unless she ensures the dog is kept away from staff. She describes Bella as a "faithful, cuddle-loving" puppy who has never bitten anyone and posted the video to Facebook where users branded the postie a "scumbag" and called for him to be sacked. Royal Mail claim two other posties have reported Bella growling at them and insisted their "first priority as an employer is to ensure the welfare and safety" of staff. The postman has now been removed from the round and won't be delivering to the address on Nikki's request. 7 7 7 Nikki, from Leeds, West Yorkshire, said: "When I heard yelping I quickly ran outside the front door. "When I asked what she's yelping at he said he didn't know. I asked if he'd kicked the dog and he said 'no, I put my leg up to stop her from jumping'. "That won't be the case because he put his leg back and kicked. I knew he was lying to me. "I told him I'd check the camera then he said 'do what the f**k you want. "Bella ran into the house, curled and cowered on the sofa and that's not like her. I knew something had happened. "I sat next to her to watch the video and when I did I was absolutely fuming. "She was wagging her tail. She wasn't aggressive or barking. "She's a faithful puppy. She loves cuddles, attention and she'd sit on your knee for hours. "If he'd have done that to my last dog he'd have killed her. "My daughter watched the video and she was absolutely mortified." The 'grumpiest postman in the land' is caught on camera blasting absent residents for the second time in a week Nikki says it will cost her around £80 to build new fencing so Royal Mail will agree to deliver to her address. She feels the delivery giants are treating her puppy like a "dangerous" dog despite her claiming she's never bitten anyone. Nikki said: "They sent this via a letter, which is quite ironic. You couldn't make it up. "We've had to go out, buy some wood and build and new fence and gate so she can be secured in the back garden "It's as if my dog is dangerous. It's really annoyed me. She's not a rottweiler or a big alsatian and she's never bit anybody." 7 7 Nikki's Facebook post has more than 200 comments, shares and reactions. The post said: "This is absolutely disgusting behaviour kicking my one-year-old puppy in the face. She's wagging her tail. "The yelps coming out of her are distressing so be mindful if watching, please." One commented: " Disgusting behaviour. Report him and push for an outcome." A second said: "I hope he gets sacked, he wouldn't be kicking a rottweiler." A third agreed and said: "Sack the scumbag." However one said: "Should keep your dog under control at all times." Nikki hit back: "She was in her own garden not running wild in the streets. it's the postman who was out of control." A Royal Mail spokesperson said: "We are aware of an incident involving one of our postmen and a dog in Leeds. "Our first priority as an employer is to ensure the welfare and safety of our people who provide a valuable service to our customers. The vast majority of dog owners are very responsible and keep their pets under control, However, last year, there were over 2,200 dog attacks on postmen and women in the UK - some resulting in life-changing injuries. "We continue to appeal to dog owners to secure their pets when the postie arrives to help reduce the number of attacks, particularly at the door and in the garden."
