Postal workers are finally biting back after years of being chased by cantankerous canines.
And they are backing plans for a new law on dog control.
"Dog Asbos" would see problem pets micro-chipped to monitor their behaviour and owners instructed to try and improve their pooch’s conduct.
The proposed Control of Dogs Bill, due to be published early in 2009, aims to protect people, other dogs and their owners.
Posties and couriers with the Communications Workers' Union (CWU), are supporting the legislation led by the SNP's Alex Neil.
Union bosses say they want Scotland to lead the charge against dangerous dogs.
The CWU's health and safety officer Dave Joyce said the current law has done nothing to reduce attacks.
Mr Joyce said: "We are calling for cross party support when the Bill comes before the Scottish Parliament in order to facilitate the swift passage of the Bill on to the statute book and want the rest of the UK to follow the Scottish lead.
"We want to see more realistic penalties handed down by the courts when prosecutions take place with owners of aggressive dogs being held to account.
"My union is not anti-dog or anti any specific breed of dog - the overwhelming majority of which cause no problem at all.
"However, there are a significant number of aggressive dogs and irresponsible owners which need to be dealt with."
According to the CWU, postal workers in the UK are victim to 5,000 - 6,000 dog attacks every year, with many resulting in serious injuries.
Central Scotland MSP Alex Neil said: "It is a common joke up and down the land that posties are scared of dogs.
"Unfortunately having fingers nipped off or a chunk bitten out of your legs is a very real threat for delivery workers.
"These things do happen and until we introduce legislation to control the behaviour of dogs they will continue to happen.
"Having the support of the CWU is very important because it demonstrates the Bill I am trying to introduce will make a real difference."
