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A jogger was left suffering 8 deep puncture wounds to her knee after she was viciously attacked by a bull terrier in Perth.

Alison Lee was hospitalised after the dog pounced on her and clamped onto her knee, breaking the skin and drawing blood.

The disorderly dog had previously bitten another female victim and was required to wear a muzzle for five years before the latest attack.

Fiscal depute Mairi Graham told Perth Sheriff Court: “At 7.30am Miss Lee went out for a run and was heading to Pitlochry Dam. The dog suddenly jumped on her, biting her knee and locking on.

“The accused shouted at it to let go and took it by the collar. After several seconds the dog eventually let go of the leg.

(Image: Gordon Currie)

Ms Graham confirmed the victim had at least eight deep puncture wounds around the knee.

“A control order was imposed by Perth and Kinross Council in 2014.

“It was to have a muzzle and be on a lead no more than two metres long when out of the house.

Mitigating, Pauline Cullerton said: "The first attack took place before Bennett took control of the dog.

“She realises it could have been avoided. It should have been muzzled."

(Image: Perthshire Advertiser)

Bennett pleaded with the victim not to report the attack, but then contacted the police and told them about the incident.

The dog owner claimed her pooch's muzzle had broken the previous evening and she had risked taking her dog for a walk without the guard, hoping that no-one would be around.

After her conversation with the police, Bennett took the dog to the vet to be euthanised.

Sheriff Gillian Wade told Bennett she had done the right thing to have the animal put down at the earliest opportunity.

The dog’s owner, Debbie Bennett was ordered to pay Alison a £600 compensation fee, after she admitted failing to comply with the dog control notice, imposed on September 4, 2014, which banned her from having a dog without a guard.

Ms Wade added: “Had you not had the dog destroyed I would have had no hesitation in making that order myself.