DOG owners were today given a stark warning to control their pets after a postwoman who was savaged by an Alsatian near York was awarded more than £10,000.

Sue Easton, who still works for Royal Mail, was left with bite marks and a deep fear of dogs after the attack in Wilberfoss in December 1995.

The dog's owner ignored solicitors' letters and court correspondence for years but finally appeared in York County Court this week.

Clive Scotter, together with his brother Ian, was hit with a compensation bill for £2,142 and ordered to pay Mrs Easton's legal fees of more than £8,000.

Paul Clays, branch secretary for the Communication Workers' Union, who backed Mrs Easton's claim, said no one should have to go to work in fear of being attacked.

"Almost 20 postal workers report an attack by an animal every day," Mr Clays said.

"Postal workers being attacked by dogs is not a national joke - it's a national disgrace.

"Apart from the trauma, sickness and pain it causes, the Royal Mail loses 6,000 days a year in sick leave."

Mr Clays said dog owners too often "failed miserably" in their responsibility to train their pets.

"These people turn innocent pets into a public nuisance," he said. "To describe them as 'dog lovers' is a nonsense in these circumstances."

John Knight, who represented Mrs Easton in court, said after the case that thousands of postmen and women were bitten during the course of their daily job each year - some with much worse physical and psychological consequences than in Mrs Easton's case.

"What's important about this case is that the dog owner ignored the claim for a long time and simply didn't recognise the serious financial consequences which a judgement against him could mean," he said.

Mr Knight said the majority of the award was incurred largely because the dog owner failed to respond to correspondence and court orders.

"It's unfortunate that this dog owner didn't have insurance to cover him as most household insurance policies have this facility as standard," he said.

"Dog owners should realise the importance of having insurance of this nature, but it is equally important that they keep their dogs under control."