Damages claim over injured dog

Safeway says it has passed the matter on to its insurers

A Devon dog owner who claims his pet injured itself jumping for leaflets pushed through their letterbox may seek compensation.

Retired company director Gordon Musselwhite said the family's dachshund Muffin was badly hurt leaping for the Safeway leaflets which were pushed through the door of their Yealmpton home in December 2001.

Mr Musselwhite and his wife Susan are seeking support to take the matter to the Small Claims Court, a move which would cost £155 to initiate.

He is claiming £2,300 in vet's bills and legal expenses.

I am not going to let sleeping dogs lie

Gordon Musselwhite

Mr Musselwhite said the couple found their pet on the floor of the hallway, paralysed from the shoulders down and could only drag himself along.

There were teeth marks on the leaflets protruding through the letterbox.

Muffin underwent surgery to have a disc removed in an operation which left the couple "devastated".

Mr Musselwhite said there had been no need for anyone to come up his 140 foot (43 metre) long drive to deliver the leaflets, as he had erected a large post box by the front gate.

Video of injury

He said: "I am not going to let sleeping dogs lie. I have got too much money buried in this and I am not going to let it go."

In January, he delivered to Safeway headquarters in Hayes, Middlesex, a video showing Muffin trying to walk again following a back operation carried out after the incident.

Last month, he wrote to Safeway asking for a reply and re-iterated his request for reimbursement of basic costs.

Mr Musselwhite had said the supermarket did not even have to admit liability, but just make "an ex gratia payment".

The supermarket chain has so far said the matter is in the hands of their insurers.