A dog’s dinner!

Photo: Darren Robinson

MOVING IN . . . around 20 travellers — and their dogs — have set up camp on the former B&Q car park. Photos: DARREN ROBINSON

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Solicitor hits out after being bitten by travellers’ lurcher

AN Oldham solicitor was attacked by a dog belonging to a traveller as he walked across the former B&Q car park at Mumps yesterday.

Jon Comyn-Platt was en route from the railway station to his offices in Union Street, when he was bitten by the animal.

It flew at him from a kennel 20 yards away, and ripped a hole in his trousers, leaving red marks on his skin.

When Mr Comyn-Platt challenged near-by travellers, they merely shrugged off his complaint, telling him the dog always bit men.

Travellers set up camp on the car park last Friday evening, and the solicitor was attacked as he walked along a public right of way on his way to work. Now he is warning other pedestrians to make sure they are suitably armed to ward off a dog attack.

“I had walked under the subway from the railway station and was minding my own business when I heard a dog barking,” he said.

“I looked up and the dog, a fat greyhound, came running out of its kennel and nipped me on the back of the leg.

“I have always been sympathetically disposed towards travellers, but not any more, not after their reaction to me.

“I was really angry. The dog wasn’t tied up and caused £150 worth of damage to my suit.”

Mr Comyn-Platt added: “I shall continue to walk across the car park, but I shall go armed with red chilli powder and throw it in the eyes of any dog that tries to bite me.

“I would advise other people to do the same. The law says you can use reasonable force to protect yourself when you have reasonable grounds for believing you will be attacked, and I know I will be attacked by that dog when I walk across again.”

Mr Comyn-Platt reported the issue to the police, to Oldham Council, and to the landlord of the car park, and was waiting for each to get back to him.

There are around 20 caravans on the former B&Q car park, along with the vehicles used to tow them.

Dogs were spotted running around the site, and piles of debris, including tarmac and shrubs were dumped on the land.