Yodel delivery driver seriously injured in attack by three dogs

DELIVERY driver was seriously injured when she was set upon by three large dogs as she dropped off a parcel, a court has heard.

- JASON EVANS

One of the dogs ripped into the woman’s hand, causing significant tendon damage, while the other two bit her around the waist and hips.

Swansea Crown Court heard the driver required surgery to her injured hand and the incident has significantly impacted her ability to work.

‘A judge said “the long and short of it” was the incident was foreseeable and there was inadequate protection for visitors to the defendant's property.

Harry Dickens, prosecuting, told the court the incident happened on October 24, 2023, when the complainant, a Yodel driver, delivered a parcel to Jennifer Hopkins’ rural property near Whitland, Carmarthenshire.

He said the driver did not see any signs warning about dogs on the fencing nor hear any barking at the address and let herself in through the gate.

‘The court heard that as the woman got to the house three large Carpathian mountain dogs suddenly appeared and began biting her — while two bit the woman to the waist and hip area, the third sank its teeth into her left hand and ripped away the skin, exposing the bones and tendons beneath.

‘The prosecutor said the bleeding driver ran back down the path to her van, and once there sounded the vehicle’s horn and rang Hopkins.

When the defendant came to the door of the house “around 20 dogs” ran out from inside the property. The court heard Hopkins told the driver: “People know not to come in”