I agree with Colin MacLean (March 9) who suggests an outside postal box that protects mail from being eaten by snarling dogs and also ensures youngsters keep their fingers after delivering papers.

It happened to me a few years ago. I put my hand through a letter box and a dog got hold of it. I was in shock and in pain and there was blood rolling down my hand, skin torn and bruises.

I knocked on the door and I told the lady what happened.

She just stood there and said sorry.

I rang the police and asked them to call on this lady to ask her to install a wire box behind her door, or to have one put on the outside, but I was told they could not do anything about it, because the dog was protecting his territory.

Never again will I put my hand in a letter box.

Mrs J C Donovan
Crescent Road
Canvey