Mail deliveries to a cul-de-sac have again been suspended after a dog, which savaged a postman last year, was discovered loose in the street.

Residents of Copley Avenue, Meltham, will have to trek to Meltham Post Office to pick up their Christmas cards and parcels, Royal Mail has said.

Deliveries to Copley Avenue were suspended in July 2013 after postman Jason Lee was savaged by the animal.

Mr Lee needed plastic surgery after suffering an horrific injury to his arm during the attack.

Injury to postman Jason Lee who was bitten by a dog
Injury to postman Jason Lee who was bitten by a dog

But as the dog and Mr Lee were on private property at the time, no charges were brought against the animal’s owner.

Now Royal Mail has again suspended its deliveries after the same dog was spotted loose in the street.

A Royal Mail spokesperson said: “We have temporarily suspended deliveries to a number of addresses in Copley Avenue, Meltham, due to the threat of a dangerous dog being kept at a property being loose on the road.

“This dog has previously attacked a postman, leaving him with serious injuries, and is not currently being kept securely at the address.

“We have asked the dog owner to take the necessary steps to ensure the dog is kept securely within grounds of the property and is not able to roam free. We want to restore services to customers as soon as possible and will do so when as soon as this is addressed.

Copley Avenue in Meltham
Copley Avenue in Meltham

“Suspension of delivery is always a last resort and we sincerely apologise to customers for the inconvenience caused by this temporary suspension. It is vital that our postmen and women are able to carry out their work safely and without any threats. We have written to customers today to update them about the situation.

“Affected customers can pick up mail at the nearby Meltham Post Office. We ask customers to bring proof of their identity and address, such as a passport, driving licence or recent utility bill, when collecting mail.

“Any customers who have difficulty collecting their mail in this instance, please contact the delivery office manager to discuss alternative delivery.”