World famous supermodel Claudia Schiffer has been warned by police for not keeping her dogs under control as they have terrorised walkers on her country estate.
Walkers use a public footpath close to her £5 million mansion at Stanningfield near Bury St Edmunds, and are now too scared to use it.
Claudia and her film producer husband Matthew Vaughn own an Irish wolfhound Roxy and a German shepherd, Oscar.
A year ago an elderly Jack Russell being walked by its owner was savaged by the Roxy on a footpath through the grounds. The owner after rescuing her dog complained to the police and this was passed onto a member of the household.
No further action was taken but the couple paid for the dog’s treatment costing several hundred pounds. The couple have been told off and told to keep their pets under control.
Since then however Oscar bit a postman on the arm. As a result the couple’s address has been placed on a list naming houses with potentially dangerous dogs and could lead to restrictions on the delivery of mail .
Local postmen have been told to stay in their van if they see any dogs on the loose.
Locals say they are too scared to use the path. Letters of complaint have been written by six villagers.
One villager said, "The dogs are still getting out on their own and can be quite aggressive and intimidating when they run up and bark.
"The wolfhound is worse because it is the size of a small pony and she has got far more frightening as she has grown up."
This villager wrote to complain and in return received an apology from Vaughn stating their staff knows to keep the dogs off the path.
She added, "But when I went down the path again I had the same problem with the wolfhound trying to bite my dog. I wrote a second letter to the house, but I got no reply.
"A lot of people have now been put off using this path because they are worried about the dogs. I certainly don't like going there any more."
PC Den Mullett confirmed he had received complaints about the dogs coming on the footpath. He said, "Arrangements are in hand to meet with the owners of the dogs to discuss these issues."
Royal Mail confirmed a postman had been attacked and are considering taking steps against owners who didn’t keep aggressive dogs under control.
