Janice Eccles, 52, needed skin grafts to repair her open wound after the dog attacked her outside her home in Skegness, Lincolnshire

A woman has revealed her horrific wounds after her neighbours' pit bull sank its teeth into her leg and left a chunk of ripped-off flesh lying in the road.

Janice Eccles, 52, needed skin grafts to repair her open wound after the dog attacked her outside her home in Skegness, Lincolnshire.

The mother-of-two, who has two dogs of her own, had been reversing her car close to the home of Alan and Linda Gent at the time of the incident, on July 20 last year.

The pit bull, Zues, escaped while his owners collected a delivery, before darting towards the former medical secretary and latching onto her right calf.

Janice said: 'The neighbour couldn't control it and I could tell from the look on its face when the dog was running towards me, what was going to happen.

'It was absolutely horrific. It was a dog bite but felt more like a shark.

'I went into adrenaline mode and hopped into my home.

'I had to ring for my own ambulance and bandage myself up.'

On Wednesday, the pit bull's owners, Alan and Linda Gent, both 59, were banned from owning dogs for five years - and the fate of the dog hangs in the balance.

The couple, of St Vincent Close, Skegness, both pleaded guilty to owning a dangerous dog.

The pit bull, Zues, escaped while his owners collected a delivery, before darting towards the former medical secretary and latching onto her right calf

And even though it is eight months since the incident, Janice said she no longer felt safe in her home.

She only moved into the property in May last year to be closer to her daughter after a spell of bad health.

Janice said: 'I still have the clothes and shoes that are covered in blood.

'The mental side is worse than the physical side if I'm honest.

The animal tore off a huge chunk of flesh during the attack

'I am not bothered about the scar - but it has ruined me living here.

'I can't get over it and move on as I can't get out of the cul-de-sac where I live without seeing their home.

'I am going to have to move house.'

Boston Magistrates' Court heard that Alan and Linda Gent had owned Zeus for four years since he was a puppy - although they didn't have any papers.

In mitigation it was argued that the dog had never been aggressive before and the court was told that Alan Gent managed to get the dog under control.

They were ordered to pay £160 fine each, a victim surcharge of £30 each and a contribution of £45 each towards costs.

The couple were also banned from owning any dogs for five years.

Janice said her neighbours have come up to her and apologised - but maintains the dog should be destroyed.

Janice said: 'If a dog badly injures someone it should be destroyed - it is as simple as that.

'I have not got a single neighbour under the age of 75 - had the dog attacked one of them, it is highly likely they would be dead.

'The neighbour came up to me yesterday, apologised and asked if it was water under the bridge- it is not water under the bridge.

'I think it is ridiculous and if the dog is given a last chance I think it is pathetic.'

Zeus remains in police kennels and a final decision on his future remains in the hands of Humberside Police, who will decide whether he should be re-homed.