A Dundee delivery driver was left in hospital after being attacked by a dog as he handed over a parcel.
Paul Degernier had to undergo surgery on his right triceps after being left with puncture wounds by the animal.
The 43-year-old was set upon by an XL bully-style dog on Saturday as he made a delivery on Honeygreen Road in Linlathen.
Paul, from Stobswell, says the dog jumped up and sank its teeth into his arm before letting go seconds later.
Dog ‘burst through door and attacked driver’
The dad-of-seven told The Courier: “I was only on my first or second delivery of the day.
“When I went to the door I could hear a number of dogs behind it.
“The woman had the door open about six inches and was taking the parcel when one dog burst past her.
“I was sort of startled and spun round but it got hold of my arm as I fell to the ground and it pulled me.
‘I couldn’t feel the skin on my arm’
“I was in the foetal position when the dog let go – I thought it was going to go for my neck.”
The former chef got back to his feet before heading to hospital.
He said: “My clothes were torn and I could see two substantial puncture wound marks to my arm.
“I knew I needed to get it checked over at Ninewells Hospital.
“Looking at the injury at first it wasn’t as bad as I’d feared – I’d expected it to be hanging off.
WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGE BELOW
“Initially they were just going to give me stitches for the puncture wounds but I couldn’t feel the skin on my arm.”
Paul, who was delivering for Yodel at the time, says doctors told him the tendon muscle on his triceps had been damaged and he underwent surgery.
Despite the severity of the attack, he does not blame the dog.
He said: “I blame the owner for what happened that day.
“With the right training a dog wouldn’t behave like this.
“My fear is, though, if that had been a child going to that door what would have happened?
“We contacted the police to make them aware.
“I’ve got to go back to the doctors in the coming week to get my dressings changed.
“I’m now off work until I recover.
“As a self-employed delivery driver it’s a bit of a nightmare.”
Police probe dog attack
Police have now launched an investigation with the assistance of Dundee City Council’s dog warden.
A force spokesperson said: “We were made aware of a man who was attacked by a dog in the Honeygreen Road area of Dundee around 1.30pm on Saturday..
“The man received treatment at Ninewells Hospital following the incident.
“Inquiries to establish the full circumstances are ongoing.”
