Peed off posties complain about dogs (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Peed off posties complain about dogs

POSTAL workers are so peed off with dogs cocking a leg up Moreton-in-Marsh's main post box that the Royal Mail has threatened to remove it from the town.

The double-post box, outside High Street's Co-op and Tesco stores, has been regularly covered by dog urine virtually daily since early February.

Postmen and women have to lean over the urine when collecting mail. Some urine has seeped into the box through the gap around the door.

It is not known if dogs tied to the box, while their owners visit the shops, are causing the problem or if a roving animal is responsible.

Following complaints from the posties, the Royal Mail has stuck a "polite notice" to the box.

Signed by Paul Stinchcombe, Royal Mail collections support manager at Gloucester, it says: "Would dog owners please prevent their dogs from urinating on this box.

"Recently this box has been consistently targeted, making it not only unpleasant for the collector but also a health risk.

"Should this practice continue, it may result in the box being withdrawn from service."

The Royal Mail contacted Moreton Town Council, which alerted the Cotswolds' dog warden.

Royal Mail spokeswoman, Sue Dakin, said withdrawing the box would be a last resort and it was hoped such a move would not be needed.

She said: "It's unpleasant and a health risk.

"The dog or dogs are urinating on the box to such an extent that when the postman goes to make a collection it's dripping down the box.

"The postmen have the option of using rubber gloves if they wish to.

"The aim of the notice generally is to focus people's minds on the implications, potentially, if this problem continues for a long period of time.

"Dog owners can help us by ensuring that their animals are accompanied or are kept under control and if they see any unaccompanied animal fouling the box to get in touch with us.

"If people nearby recognise that there's a regular culprit they could report it to us so the appropriate authorities could track the dog down."

Moreton Post Office manager, Chris Millard, said: "It has become a hygiene problem.

"Our chaps are quite fed up with it.

"I would've thought the owners of the dogs are aware their dogs are doing this.

"It's up to the owners to pull them away.

"It's pretty grim."