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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Alice Clifford & Zahra Khaliq

Mum given 'insulting' £250 voucher from Amazon after delivery man hits and kills her dog

Amazon are offering a grieving mum-of-two an "insulting" £250 voucher after one of their delivery drivers ran over and killed the family's beloved dog.

Linda Banwell, 48, from Newdigate in Surrey, says the offer has left her feeling insulted.

The devastating incident was captured by the family's Ring doorbell, which recorded the van drive off without checking on the poor 17-year-old pooch.

Ms Banwell said: "It was just a normal Saturday. I live in a two and a half acre property and it is all fenced off for the dogs so it is very safe for them.

"There are also lots of signs saying there are dogs around.

"The Amazon delivery came through for my mum who lives in the annex of my house. I went to take the parcel to her and when I came back to the driveway I saw Alfie lying on the floor dead and the driver had driven off.

Linda found Alfie lying dead on the floor (Linda Banwell / SWNS)

"I assumed that he must have reversed around and not seen him but when we checked the Ring door bell we saw that he was driving forward."

Ms Banwell rescued the white West Highland terrier nine years ago and he quickly became part of the family.

Ms Banwell said: "We are just so devastated, he was completely one of the family.

Alfie and the family's second dog, Charlie (Linda Banwell / SWNS)
Linda says Amazon's offer left her feeling insulted (Linda Banwell / SWNS)

"As he was old we knew every day was a blessing. I thought that I would get to make that decision when we were all at home with him, with all his family around."

After complaining to Amazon about the incident she was offered a £250 voucher as an apology for what happened.

She said: "When I saw this I handed it to my husband and said I can't do this anymore because I just didn't think they were taking it seriously.

The devastating moment was captured on the family's ring cam (SURREY LIVE/BPM MEDIA)

"Nobody understands unless it happens to them. It's just insulting really."

She said that Amazon have also refused to offer any information about the driver and how they will be dealing with the situation.

Ms Banwell said: "Amazon keeps saying that all they can tell us is that it is being dealt with.

"I just want him to know what he did. I had a friend of mine who was at my house with their granddaughter picking apples.

Amazon told the family that the issue is being dealt with (SURREY LIVE/BPM MEDIA)

"Ok he didn't see Alfie but what if it had been a child who was there, would he have seen her?"

Ms Banwell has been in contact with Surrey Police but they have said the investigation will take around six weeks.

Ms Banwell said: "I have had a few negative comments asking why was the dog out, but you have to see my house to understand why he was out.

Surrey Police said the investigation will take 6 weeks (Linda Banwell / SWNS)
The family have been left heartbroken by Alfie's unexpected death (Linda Banwell / SWNS)

"I live in the countryside and my driveway can fit about 20 cars, so it is part of my garden."

The family also have another white West Highland terrier called Charlie that is going to miss having Alfie around the house.

Ms Banwell said: "Charlie is going to miss him as much as we are.

"I am looking at other rescues but I am not sure that I can face it at the moment, but I am not ruling it out.

Linda says rescue dog Alfie was a blessing (Linda Banwell / SWNS)

"I have seen one which had a face just like Alfie's and I feel drawn to her."

A spokesperson from Amazon said: "We have very high standards for our delivery service providers and how they serve customers.

"We are taking this matter seriously and have reached out to the customer to offer our support."

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