WELL-BEHAVED pet pooches have been praised for not biting postmen.

Royal Mail bosses say there are up to 4,000 dog attacks on its employees each year – but none have been reported in Sidmouth in the last 12 months.

Across the nation, incidents result in injuries - many severe - and considerable trauma to posties., according to the organisation. Donald Brydon, chairman of Royal Mail Group, this week announced the launch of an independent inquiry to be led by Sir Gordon Langley into the prevalence and consequences of attacks by dogs on postal workers in the UK with the objective of making recommendations to address them.