Woman ordered to pay £3000 after dog chewed postman's leg

A woman in charge of a dog which chewed a postman’s leg has been ordered to pay him £3000 compensation.

Stephanie Colquhoun’s partner’s dog Bruno attacked Andrew Barton in Glasgow’s Milton last February.

Mr Barton tried to fend off the Staffordshire bull terrier, who latched onto him for a minute as he tried to deliver a parcel.

The postman suffered a five-inch wound which needed 15 stitches and he had to take four months off work.

On Thursday, Colquhoun pled guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to being in charge of Bruno who was dangerously out of control and bit Mr Barton to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement.

Sheriff Paul Crozier ordered the 28-year-old, who is in a wheelchair due to ill health, to do 270 hours unpaid work as well as making the compensation order.

She was also put under supervision for 18 months and ordered Bruno to be put down.

An earlier hearing was told Mr Barton tried to deliver a parcel to Colquhoun who answered the door.

Prosecutor Sarah Latta said: “The dog was able to push past her and began to attack Mr Barton by biting him on the leg.

“He tried to get the dog to release his grip by moving his leg and aiming kicks but Bruno wouldn’t let go.”

Colquhoun also tried to intervene as the incident carried on “for a minute or so.”

The dog was taken away from the flat by Colquhoun’s partner as she tended to Mr Barton with bandages.

A 999 call was made and Mr Barton was taken to hospital for treatment for a wound to his left calf.

Ms Latta added: “It was five to six centimetres deep and five inches in length.

“The wound had gone down to the bone and Mr Barton was left with a puncture wound on the other leg.

“He had to have 15 stitches and has been left permanently scarred.

“He was off work until June 30 2020 doing office duties.”

Colquhoun stated to police Bruno had been aggressive in the days leading up to the attack after he was ambushed by two neighbours’ dogs.