Pamphlet did not ‘partially paralyse pet’

THE owners of a dachshund yesterday branded junk mail “the scourge of the 21st century” after losing a court case in which they claimed their pet had been partially paralysed jumping for a Safeways leaflet left hanging in their letterbox.

“If people want their pets not to be injured I would advise them to block their letterboxes,” said 62-year-old Gordon Musselwhite after the small claims hearing at Plymouth county court.

Retired company director Mr Musselwhite and his 61-year-old wife Susan claimed £2,906 in vets bills and legal expenses as a result of the alleged incident at their home in Yealmpton, Devon on December 1, 2001.