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Mum Lisa Whitehurst has been ordered to pay £250 compensation - after her 'barking and gnarling' Staffordshire Bull Terrier attacked a dog and its owner.

The Staffie bolted through an open garden gate to bite the neck of a defenceless dog being walked in Gordon Avenue, Cheadle, and then clamp its teeth onto its owner's leg.

North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard the 46-year-old - who pledged to have the Staffie put to sleep - was given a conditional caution after being ordered to get her pet neutered and pay £100 compensation.

But she never paid up and has now been taken to court following the February 3 incident.

Prosecutor Sue Hayers told the court: "The victim was walking with her partner and his son and as they left their street they heard a loud barking and gnarling. They saw the dog which approached them and bit their dog.

"It bit the hind-quarters and the back of its neck so they tried to kick the offending dog.

"The man picked up the child and they kicked the dog away. The woman went to pick her dog up but felt a sharp pain. She could feel the teeth going into her leg.

"They called the police but the defendant came across to apologise and said she would put the dog to sleep the next day.

"The defendant accepted the conditional caution but the injured party saw the dog again and contacted the police."

The court heard the victim has been left unable to walk her dog on her own since the attack.

In a statement she said: "I felt too scared to leave my own home. The dog was seen numerous times afterwards without a muzzle.

"I asked people to come on walks with me. And because of the scars I have been unable to wear skirts or shorts without tights."

Whitehurst, of The Rindle, Cheadle, has also been fined £120 after admitting being the owner of a dangerous dog. Police are still trying to trace the dog after the defendant gave it to her son to rehouse following the attack.

Joanne Corbett, mitigating, said: "Someone had left the gate open and the dog escaped. It has been neutered but she couldn't afford the £100 - she would have paid in instalments."

Whitehurst must also pay £185 costs and a £32 victim surcharge.

Magistrate Janet Simpson said: "We are concerned that there is a dog out there which has bitten a human and another dog. We don't feel we can make a muzzling or destruction order. We're going to adjourn so the police can locate the dog."

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