THE bark seems to be worse than the bite in Dunfermline with a drop in the level of dog attacks on posties.

Royal Mail said there were more than 1,600 across the UK in 2021/22 – an average of 32 every week – with some leading to permanent and disabling injuries.

However, former councillor Garry Haldane, once dubbed the "most attacked postie in the country" after being bitten by dogs 17 times on his rounds, said the picture locally had improved.

He told the Press: "Dunfermline has only had three incidents of dog attacks this year. This is a positive result after the years of high levels of attacks.

"This can be seen as a result of positive messaging and awareness by the public, by the posties and the Royal Mail management team in Dunfermline."

Mr Haldane, the former Communication Workers Union (CWU) rep for Dunfermline delivery office, added: "This comes at a challenging time when families have been home a lot more which results in the family dog being out in the garden more often and at the times when their postie would arrive at their doors.

"Our posties and management team are thankful to their customers for being aware and taking positive actions to limit any attacks or issues.

"Hopefully, this situation continues and improves as no-one wishes to see their postie attacked as dog attacks are frightening and so disabling, both physically and mentally.

"A positive year but still some improvements to make."

Since 2013, there have been 21 dog attacks on postmen and postwomen working from Dunfermline delivery office and 117 for the whole of the Kingdom.

Dog Awareness Week began on Sunday and Royal Mail wants owners to understand the "often devastating" impact of dog attacks on postal workers and take proper measures to ensure their pets pose no threat.

Philip Graham, Royal Mail interim director of safety, health, wellbeing and sustainability, said: “We know the number of attacks rises during the school holidays and summer months when parents and children are at home and dogs are sometimes allowed unsupervised in the garden or out onto the streets.

"So while we want our customers to enjoy being outside with their pets, we also want to ask them to consider the danger unsupervised dogs pose to our colleagues.”

In 2021/22, there were seven dog attacks on posties in the KY postcode, the same as the previous year.

Back in 2017/18, there were 17 – Royal Mail reported 2,275 in total for the UK – with four posties from Dunfermline among the victims.

One was left with a scar after being bitten on the face.

Back then, Mr Haldane explained: “I’ve said time and time again that it’s not the dog’s fault; I love dogs.

“The owner’s ignorance to not train their dog properly is the problem.

“Even if they don’t do that, they know what time we make our deliveries.

“They could just leave the dog in the kitchen during that short window, there’s lots of measures that could be taken.”

Although the number of attacks fell by one per cent in 2021/22, Dave Joyce, national health and safety officer for the CWU, said: “Dog attacks remain a major safety hazard and concern for postmen and women across the UK and the scale of the problem shouldn’t be underestimated.

“I have written to the DEFRA Secretary of State, George Eustice, calling for a meeting to discuss what more the government and police can do to toughen up the dog control laws – such is my concern."