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A pensioner whose dog attacked another and then bit its owner must pay more than £1,350 in fines and compensation.

Linda Joy, 69 of Mold Road, Ewloe Green, Flintshire, pleaded guilty to owning a dog that was dangerously out of control and caused injury before magistrates at Mold.

The Lakeland terrier called Bingo rushed out of two open doors and a garden gate to attack Victoria Bushell's Jack Russell, which was being walked by her daughter.

It also grabbed the dog by the back of the neck during the attack.

Mrs Bushell tried to get between the dogs and sustained bites to her hands and arm, for which she needed treatment at Wrexham Maelor Hospital. The attack left her with a small scar on her arm and a loss of sensation in one of her fingers the court heard.

Joy, a former teacher who is due to undergo treatment for cancer, admitted in police interview that Bingo was "a difficult dog" and she had previously "tried working with him".

District Judge Gwyn Jones said the starting point for sentencing was a community order but he was taking into account points made on her behalf.

He said: "This has had a significant impact on the victim, which occurs in the presence of her daughter. But you're a lady of impeccable character.

"It's clear there are issues with regard to your health and those facts I must take into account. I would ordinarily have dealt with it by way of a financial penalty."

Mrs Bushell, her husband, her daughter and two sons were walking down Mold Road when they passed the defendants property.

Three dogs ran out including Bingo and two larger dogs said Rhian Jackson, prosecuting.

She continued: "Victoria has tried to get between the terrier and her dog and stop it attacking her dog. It bit Victoria to her arm and fingers.

"The terrier refused to stop or let go even though her partner tried to kick it away."

Ms Jackson said none of Joy's family tried to help and claimed no one apologised. She added: "Both Victoria and her children were incredibly distressed by the incident. There was no apology.

"She believes something needs to be done to this dog."

Bethan Jones defending Joy said there had been a family visit on July 29, and her guests were leaving when the dogs slipped through the open door.

She said: "She was meeting grandchildren for the first time. On this occasion Bingo has managed to get out. She suffers from cancer and is looking for somewhere to home the dog. It is difficult for me to put into words the feelings of Mrs Joy coming here today. She is a former teacher and a woman of good character."

She added that her daughter Rebecca Joy had witnessed the incident and she said the partner kicking the dog and Mrs Bushell getting between them had "made matters worse".

District Judge Jones ordered Joy to pay Mrs Bushell's vet's bill of £137.52, loss of earnings of £187, compensation of £400 and a fine of £500.

Additionally she must pay a victim surcharge of £50 and costs of £85, plus the dog must be muzzled in public from now on.

He said should the dog attack anyone else then a destruction order would be issued.