A Yodel driver found herself in a terrifying situation when three large dogs attacked her during a delivery near Whitland, Carmarthenshire. While dropping off a parcel, she was suddenly set upon by the dogs, suffering serious injuries to her hand, waist, and hips. Imagine the shock as one of the dogs latched onto her hand, damaging tendons and leaving her unable to work.
Rushing back to her van, the bleeding driver honked the horn to draw attention. The homeowner, Jennifer Hopkins, came out with more dogs in tow, reportedly stating, “People know not to come in.” Despite the incident, this wasn’t the first time parcels had been delivered there.
The repercussions for the driver have been severe. She had to undergo surgery and months of painful rehabilitation. Her injuries left her unable to drive and greatly impacted her livelihood, forcing her to hire help for her farm.
In court, 55-year-old Hopkins admitted her guilt with the dogs not being restrained at the time. Running an animal sanctuary, Hopkins has since beefed up security with better fencing and signs, but the incident paints a troubling picture of visitor safety. Judge Huw Rees described the delivery driver’s ordeal as nothing short of “shocking” and highlighted the undeniable lack of protection in place.
Hopkins received a suspended nine-month prison sentence, 150 hours of community work, and a hefty compensation order of £10,000 for the victim. The drawn-out process of this case was slammed by the judge as “inexcusable,” raising questions about law enforcement’s efficiency.
As Hopkins continues her work with the sanctuary, the case is a sobering reminder of the importance of safety measures, not only for those working with animals but for any visitors. Stay cautious and mindful of your environment!