A Royal Mail postman has been suspended after allegedly kicking a blind 11-year-old Shih Tzu named Ethel across a front yard in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, causing injuries that led to the dog's death from organ failure. The incident occurred on Saturday at the home of owner Eve Lewis, 40.
Owner Describes the Attack
Eve Lewis told The Sun that the postman, who was wearing an England shirt, 'toe-punted' her pet across the yard. 'He didn't even just kick her, he toe punted her like she was a football. She flew up in the air and hit the ground and rolled three times. She went flying like she was a football,' Lewis said. She added that the postman was walking away but turned around to deliver the kick.
Ethel, who was blind and had only one tooth, was rushed to a veterinarian but succumbed to internal bleeding and organ failure. 'Her blood pressure dropped and they put tubes up her nose. Then they said there's internal bleeding. At this point, I'm thinking, 'This literally can't be happening,'' Lewis recalled.
Dog's Legacy and Investigation
Lewis described Ethel as a resilient dog nicknamed 'Ethel 2.0' because she always bounced back after surgeries. 'She was an old gal,' Lewis said. The Royal Mail has suspended the postman and launched a full investigation. A Royal Mail spokesperson stated: 'We are deeply sorry for this distressing incident, and we know how upsetting it is for the family. We are treating this matter very seriously. We have seen the footage and launched a full investigation to establish the circumstances. We have also confirmed to the family that we will cover the veterinary costs.'
Thames Valley Police is also investigating the incident. The Royal Mail spokesperson added: 'We take animal welfare and the safety of our people very seriously. Dog-related incidents can present a serious risk to postal workers.'
