THE owner of an aggressive border collie, which has terrorised postmen in Moredon, has decided to get rid of his pet.

Residents in Manor Crescent say they are being held to ransom because the Royal Mail had stopped all deliveries to the street to protect its staff.

The dog was often seen prowling around the area, occasionally going into nearby Bourne Road and Bolingbroke Road without its owner

On occasions it has attacked the postman.

We reported the problem in the late edition of yesterday's Evening Advertiser.

Royal Mail's decision forced residents to travel to Royal Mail's North Star depot to collect their mail, a four-mile round trip.

Dyfrig Davies, 68, a dog owner who lives in the street said: "None of us, even at the other end of the street to this house, are getting our mail.

"Fortunately I can drive and go and get my mail from the depot but there are other residents in the street who can't.

"Why can't Royal Mail deliver to houses away from where the dog lives? It doesn't make sense to make us all suffer."

Fellow resident Pam James said: "I think it's disgusting. I'm having to go out of my way to collect my mail. Whenever I see the dog it's quite timid and it has never been closer to me than a few feet.

"But it really seems to dislike the postman. I know the dog warden is involved. Maybe she should dress up as a postman. She would have no problem catching it then."

Another resident who didn't want to be named said: "I sympathise with Royal Mail. Who wants to be attacked by six-stone worth of dog? It doesn't have a go at anyone else, it just seems to have a fetish for postmen."

Dominic Rogers, who owns the dog, told the Evening Advertiser he could not afford a new fence around his front garden. He added he was dealing with the situation and was planning to take the dog to a Blue Cross Centre.

The dog forced mail officials to introduce a van on the delivery with one postman driving and another looking out for the collie.

Royal Mail spokesman Dan Panes said: "We have great sympathy with our customers in Manor Crescent. However we owe a duty of care to our employees and cannot accept a situation where they are being put at risk of dog attacks.

"This particular dog has been a problem since last October and we've notified the dog warden.

"Dog attacks have accounted for 16 per cent of all accidents on duty in the SN and RG postcode areas, with some of our staff requiring hospital treatment."

Alison Waine, Swindon council's dog warden, said: "I'm relieved to hear the owner is handing over the dog. This is an example of the problems which can be caused if owners allow dogs to stray."

Anyone wishing to report a stray dog should call 01793 466139.

Anthony Osborne