Rottweilers which savaged a grandmother during a three-minute attack are to be destroyed

Pensioner Margaret Langford spent five days in hospital after being set upon by the dogs, which had escaped from a back garden in Ivy Road.

They mauled her as she lay on the ground screaming during the ordeal. The attack went on for three minutes as they bit her right arm, both legs, her chest and buttocks.

Their owner Marie Parker sobbed at Sandwell Magistrates Court as the bench decided the animals must be put down.

Mrs Langford was walking to meet a bereaved friend when the dogs attacked.

Grandson Jack Langford, aged 24, told the Express & Star how the attack had left the family 'emotionally traumatised'.

Mr Mark Cooper, prosecuting, told the court: "She described hearing growling dogs and turned around to see two Rottweillers.

"They then jumped at her and knocked her to the ground. She was then bitten numerous times. She was screaming, trying to fight off the dogs."

The court heard the dogs, called Lucky and Misty, had got out of the garden before they attacked at around 1.30pm on May 18.

Mr Cooper said: "Days after the attack she was still in discomfort and the psychological impact will no doubt last longer than her physical injuries."

As well as the loss of her pets, Parker, aged 47, was given a three-month community order which includes a three-month curfew between 7am and 7pm.

She was also ordered to pay a £2,500 in compensation.

She had pleaded guilty to being the owner of a dog dangerously out of control at a previous hearing.

Magistrates said they had decided the dogs should be destroyed in the interests of public safety.

Mrs Helen Pinning, for Parker, said the dogs had never displayed signs of aggression in the past and were regularly around the owner's grandchildren.

Mrs Pinning said: "She is very remorseful.

"If there had been any doubts about the grandchildren, they would not have allowed them to have been in their company.

"As far as Mrs Parker was concerned they were loved family pets."