A foul-tempered terrier called Scruffy has been sent on an anger management course after a string of attacks on postal workers.

It looks a harmless, if bedraggled, family pet but Scruffy's loveable looks mask a dangerously short fuse.

Last year, it took a disliking to a village postman and bit his behind as he fled through the gate of owner Jill Bradshaw's home.

Since then, Scruffy - a Jack Russell - has chased numerous other nervous postal staff down the street, once knocking a small girl off her bike in an attempt to sink its teeth into a mailman.

The postbus has started carrying a sign on its dashboard, bearing the message, Beware Scruffy - just in case any unwary messenger forgets about the peril in the village of Weaverthorpe, near Malton, North Yorkshire.

Now, two other attacks have placed Scruffy in jeopardy. It sank its teeth into the groin of a builder and did the same to a local parish council representative.

Mrs Bradshaw realised Scruffy was in danger of being destroyed as a dangerous animal and had to plead with her local council not to take drastic action.

Instead, she was asked by Ryedale District Council to take Scruffy to an anger management course, which she arranged through a local vet.

She said: "We were taught that each time we thought the red mist was descending, we were to say soothing words to him and stroke him. It hasn't worked.

"We got him as an adult dog and I think he may have been mistreated by his previous owner.

"He doesn't like men. Once you are in the house and he knows you though, he's lovely. He's got no problem with my husband and he's great with the kids.

"He is just a very protective guard dog."

Recalling one of the incidents, Mrs Bradshaw said: "He was being walked by a young girl in the village and was sitting outside the post office when the postbus pulled up.

"As the postman walked past he lunged at him, pulling the girl off her bike."

Mrs Bradshaw said that although Scruffy - so named because it likes rolling in sheep dung - is generally a good-natured dog, it seems particularly to dislike male postal workers.

"If he attacks someone again, we're worried it is going to be the end of him," she said.

Staff at the Royal Mail office in Malton declined to comment.

A spokesman for Royal Mail operator Consignia said: "We take these matters very seriously when our staff are threatened."