AN animal lover has expressed outrage after receiving a letter from Royal Mail warning her about her dog’s behaviour – eight weeks after her pet died.

The letter, received by Denise Parkin, was one of 600 letters sent to homes across Darlington, following a spate of attacks on postmen and women in the town.

Mrs Parkin, 59, admitted her much-missed golden cocker spaniel, 12-year-old Amber, who had arthritis, would sometimes bark at the postman, but said the dog never caused any serious trouble.

Royal Mail apologised for any distress caused to Mrs Parkin because of the timing of the letter, but added that there had been more than a dozen dog attacks on postmen and women in Darlington, in the past year.

Mrs Parkin, of Welbeck Avenue, said the letter insinuated that her mail would be stopped if she did not do more to control her pet’s behaviour.

The letter, signed by a Royal Mail delivery office manager, said: “We have become aware of a dog which is giving us some concerns.

“We wanted to take this opportunity to contact you about how we can work together, before any final action needs to be taken, to ensure that we continue to provide daily deliveries to your address.”

Mrs Parkin said: “I think it is awful that people are getting these letters when their dogs have not done anything.

“To get this letter when my poor dog has been dead for eight weeks made it ten times worse.”

A spokeswoman for Royal Mail said: “The safety of our employees is of paramount importance.

“Unfortunately, dog attacks are a hazard faced by our postmen and women every working day.

“In Darlington, there have been nine dog attacks in the past year and a further four attacks in the past three months.

“These attacks cause great distress and, in too many cases, serious injuries.

“We are sorry to hear of Mrs Parkin’s recent bereavement and apologise for any distress caused by receiving this letter.

“The letter is simply to raise awareness about the issues our people experience with regard to dog attacks and to work with our customers on this matter.

“Unfortunately, we were unaware of the change in circumstances in this case.”