A WOMAN had a chunk bitten out of her leg and spent five days in hospital after dog attack near her home.

Bolton Crown Court heard how 39-year-old Kerry Walker was bitten twice by an Akita called Diamond, who was being walked by 60-year-old Manjula Vekaria at 3pm on August 25 last year.

Duncan Wilcock, prosecuting, told how Vekaria's family runs the convenience store on Springfield Road, Kearsley and she had taken the dog outside the shop to relieve itself on land beside the store.

But at the same time Mrs Walker came out of the back gate of her home and encountered the dog.

Judge Richard Gioserano heard how Vekaria warned Mrs Walker to stay where she was, but the victim took a step forward and Diamond attacked.

The Akita grabbed her left leg, but when Mrs Walker tried to shake it off, it sank its teeth into her right leg before breaking off the attack.

Mrs Walker needed stitches to both legs and has been left with scarring after the dog bit a chunk out of her calf and she needed plastic surgery.

Valkaria pleaded guilty to being in charge of a dog that was dangerously out of control and caused an injury.

Andrew Smith, defending, stressed that Vakaria is a woman of previous good character and is remorseful.

The Vakaria family surrendered the dog and it is believed to have been destroyed.

Judge Gioserano sentenced Vakaria to a 12 month community order, ordered her to undertake 100 hours of unpaid work, which will be light duties because of her health problems, and to pay Mrs Walker £1,000 in compensation.