A DEVON couple are preparing to face supermarket giant Safeway in court over an injury to their pet dachshund.

Gordon and Susan Musselwhite claim their dog Muffin was partially paralysed jumping for Safeway leaflets posted through the letterbox of their home in Yealmpton.

Retired company director Gordon Musselwhite, 62, and his 61-year-old wife Susan have issued a £2,826.65 claim against the supermarket in the small claims division of Plymouth County Court.

Mrs Musselwhite said the case was due to be heard before a district judge in Plymouth on January 19, and they would be representing themselves at the hearing.

'We cannot afford to spend money on someone to represent us, we have spent enough,' she said.

Her husband maintained there was no need for the leaflets to be delivered to their home as there was a post box at the start of his 140-foot drive.

His wife said they would be unscrewing the post box and taking it to the court hearing.

Mr Musselwhite, whose pet was injured in December 2001, said his claim was for vet's bills and legal expenses.

Safeway has said in a statement: ''Mr Musselwhite alleges that Safeway is responsible for injury caused to one of the family pets, named Muffin.

'We do not consider there to be any liability on the part of Safeway. The leaflet was actually delivered by the National Leaflet Co, but regardless, we feel what has happened to Muffin was merely an unfortunate incident for which no party can be held responsible.'

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