A postman wearing an England shirt has been captured on camera kicking a blind shih tzu in an incident that led to the dog's death. The eleven-year-old dog, named Ethel, died from organ failure caused by blunt force trauma, according to veterinarians.
Ethel's owner, Eve Lewis, stated that the postman denied attacking her dog, but Ring doorbell footage contradicted his denial. The video reportedly shows the postman kicking Ethel seconds after handing over a parcel. Lewis described the kick as a "toe punt" that sent the dog flying. Ethel was partially blind and had only one tooth, according to Lewis.
Following the incident, Lewis took Ethel to a veterinarian, where it was determined she had suffered irreversible brain damage. She made the decision to have Ethel euthanized. "Her blood pressure dropped and they put tubes up her nose. Then they said there’s internal bleeding," Lewis recounted. She added, "At this point, I’m thinking, ‘This literally can’t be happening.’ From then on, it was just a complete blur."
Royal Mail has confirmed that the postman involved has been suspended and that the company is conducting a full investigation into the incident. A spokesperson for Royal Mail 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."
The company also noted the risks postal workers face from dogs, stating, "We take animal welfare and the safety of our people very seriously. Dog-related incidents can present a serious risk to postal workers, and we will take any appropriate action once our investigation is complete."
A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police confirmed that no arrests have been made but that inquiries regarding animal welfare and criminal damage are ongoing.
Lewis, who works for the NHS and lives with her son and another dog, expressed her grief and anger. "I just don’t want this to happen to anyone else. I’m heartbroken and angry. I’ve gone through about 100 packs of tissues," she said.