Dog attacks on postmen and women in Swindon are leaving scores of staff off work with serious injuries.

More than 100 workers suffered bites in the past three years as a result of owners failing to control their animals, figures obtained by the Adver show.

One postwoman needed 22 days off work after being bitten on the leg as she delivered to a house in Purton.

The figures were released by the Royal Mail as a national inquiry into the problem got under way. In Swindon, depot managers have called off deliveries to entire streets after dogs roamed loose.

Injuries sustained last year included six workers suffering bites to the left shin, six to their right fingers, five to the right thigh and one to the groin. Overall there were 103 attacks between 2009 and 2011.

Delivery office manager Simon Knibb, who is based at the sorting depot in West Swindon, said: “I have been here for four years and the number of attacks is well into double figures. Nationally, it is a massive problem, which is leading to changes in the law through the Dangerous Dogs Act. I would be in favour of anything that protects people.

“Some dogs will go for anybody on their property while others go for the high-visibility uniform.We have had cases where a dog is on the loose on a road and I will tell the staff not to go anywhere near it. It can mean 50 homes go without a delivery. It is worse in summer because the animals often become agitated in the heat.”

Mr Knibb urged people to keep their dogs under control.

“Many dogs will be relaxed around their owners and we would ask people to be aware of what they can do,” he said.

A leaflet put together by the Communication Workers Union, which is running a campaign called Bite Back, shows the results of attacks including fingers which have been bitten off.

About 5,000 animal attacks are suffered by staff each year, many resulting in severe injuries and lasting trauma, according to the Royal Mail figures.

The company says the number is unacceptably high and is calling for action going beyond proposed amendments to the Dangerous Dogs Act.

A spokesman said: “Most pet owners are very responsible, but we occasionally send out leaflets to customers advising them to keep their pets under control. Royal Mail may stop delivering to addresses where there is a particular problem but this only happens as a last resort.”

A POSTWOMAN has told how she was the victim of a dog attack which left her needing 22 days off work.

Julie Fitchett had stepped on to a driveway in Purton when a husky ran past her before turning back and sinking its teeth into the top of her leg.

The 43-year-old, continued her round after the dog’s owner came out and apologised but didn’t realise how deeply the bite had punctured her leg until she got home.

“I finished my round after it happened as I was near the end and I had gone into shock,” she said.

“When I went home there was nothing I could do to stop my leg bleeding.

“I went to the doctor and I was given antibiotics and had to stay off work for three weeks.

“I had my phone in my pocket and there was a long scratch on my leg where it had been. If it hadn’t been there, it would have been even worse.”

Julie returned to work in February but has been left traumatised.

“Since it happened I’m petrified if I see a dog while I’m working,” she said. “It’s even worse thinking about what could have happened if it had been a young child.”

Since the attack, Julie, of Old Town, has been bitten again on the shin by a dog roaming the streets with three teenagers.

The Royal Mail wrote to the dog owner in Purton and suspended deliveries. The case was resolved when a mail box was installed outside the house.