Day in court over pet 'injured by junkmail'

The owners of a dachshund left partially paralysed after it jumped to grab a Safeway leaflet posted through their letterbox are preparing to face the supermarket giant in court.

Gordon and Susan Musselwhite, who issued a £2,826.65 claim at Plymouth County Court, said today the case is due to be heard on 19 January.

The retired company director, 62, and his 61-year-old wife will be representing themselves. "We have spent enough," said Mrs Musselwhite.

The couple say the leaflets could have been left in a post box at the start of their 140ft drive in Yealmpton, Devon.

Their dog, Muffin, now seven, needed surgery after it was found lying in the hall next to leaflets covered in teethmarks in December 2001. Safeway denies liability.