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A jogger was attacked by a Staffordshire bull terrier which clamped onto her knee causing at least eight deep puncture wounds.

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

Owner Debbie Bennett was ordered to pay injured Alison Lee £600 compensation after she was hospitalised with her injuries and given a tetanus booster.

Bennett was also placed under social work supervision for 18 months, but was praised by a sheriff for having the dog put down in the aftermath of the incident.

The 34-year-old admitted failing to comply with a dog control notice imposed on September 4, 2014, which banned her from having a dog without a muzzle.

She broke that order on February 23 this year.

(Image: Perthshire Advertiser)

She also admitted that in Pitlochry on the same sate she had a dog which was dangerously out of control and bit a female.

Fiscal depute Mairi Graham told Perth Sheriff Court: "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.

"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: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

"The accused admitted the dog was to have been kept on a muzzle."

Bennett pleaded with the victim not to report the attack, but walked off without muzzling the animal, the court heard.

"She had at least eight deep puncture wounds around the knee," Ms Graham said. "The dog had broken the skin and drawn blood."

Bennett contacted the police and told them about the incident and asked what would happen as a result. She immediately took the dog to the vet to be euthanised.

She said the muzzle had broken the previous evening and she had taken a chance to walk the dog without it as she thought no-one would be around.

Solicitor Pauline Cullerton, defending, said: "This was the second such incident. The first was before she took control of the dog. She took it as a rescue dog.

"She realises it could have been avoided. It should have been muzzled. She indicated she is keen to make compensation towards the victim."

Sheriff Gillian Wade said: "Had you not had the dog destroyed I would have had no hesitation in making that order myself.

"I give you credit for doing that at the earliest opportunity."