Yorkshire tripper

Gonzo the Yorkshire Terrier used to get so excited when people visited.

He'd race up and down the garden path, jumping around and barking in delight. But no more.

One day, when the postman called, the five-year-old dog was found dead on the path from severe head injuries. Distraught owner Vicky Baguley saw the postman backing apologetically out of the gate.

'Gonzo was flat out and the postman said he'd accidentally fallen over him - but it's hard to believe a dog could die by someone tripping over it,' the 32-year-old said. 'Gonzo was lovely - he used to bark at people as it was his territory, but he'd never bite. His mouth was too small.'

Apost-mortem examination found he died from a 'severe head trauma'. Miss Baguley was angered further when the Royal Mail sent her a cheque for ?130 to cover vet fees.

'I don't want money, I want a proper answer,' the flight attendant said.

The Royal Mail said it had investigated the incident but could not add to the postman's explanation.

To make matters worse for Miss Baguley, the same postie is still delivering mail to her home in Droylsden, Greater Manchester.

'It was really upsetting losing Gonzo, but we're reminded of it every day when the postman comes up our garden path,' she added.