I have been told I should be able to have children, but it's still on my mind. I still have doubts

Postman Simon Healey

After the attack he managed to stagger back to the sorting office soaked in blood.

Mr Healey, a bachelor from Liversedge, West Yorkshire, now fears he may never be able to father children.

"I have been told I should be able to have children, but it's still on my mind. I still have doubts," he said.

His solicitor David Harrington said his client will also recover damages for loss of earnings and a contribution to his legal costs, as well as the compensation.

Injuries

"Mr Healey is satisfied that he has received fair compensation for his injuries and both parties are now anxious to put the matter behind them," he said.

In December 1998, Dewsbury magistrates made an order requiring Toby's owner, Beverley Watkins, to keep the dog under control.

Mr Healey, who has been a postman for 13 years, still delivers mail to Ms Watkins's home, but a postbox has now been fitted to the gate so that he and his colleagues do not have to enter the garden.