Girl, eight, savaged by Staffordshire Bull Terrier 'aggravated' by playing children
An eight-year-old girl was savaged by a dog after it ran out of its garden and bit her leg, stomach and wrist.
A court heard how the Staffordshire Bull Terrier had become 'aggravated' by the noise of children playing.
Its owner, Paula Ann Taylor, had opened her garden gate to ask children not to tease the dog but even offered to let them stroke the animal before it ran out and went for the child, magistrates were told.
The dog, Sapphire, has been ordered to be destroyed by Dudley Magistrates Court.
The girl was playing with friends in an alleyway beside Taylor's house in Abbey Road, Cradley Heath, when the dog attacked her.
Taylor, aged 49, was found guilty of owning and being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control, causing injury.
She was given a one month community order with a curfew from 7am to 7pm and ordered to pay £1,449 including court costs, compensation and kennel fees.
She had pleaded guilty to the charges at an earlier hearing.
Mr Mark Cooper, prosecuting, said: "The dog was loose in the back garden and could be heard barking. Ms Taylor went to check it was okay and could hear children playing in the alleyway near her house and this aggravated the dog.
"Ms Taylor opened the gate and asked the children not to tease the dog but said that they could stroke it if they wanted to.
"The children refused but the dog managed to break free and chase and bite the child."
Taylor had owned the former rescue dog for 16 months.
She has previous convictions from 2002, but nothing animal related, the court was told.
Mr Andrew Kerry, defending, said: "It is clear that Ms Taylor wishes she had never opened the gate but in order for her to see into the alleyway she had to, and the dog broke free.
"She is horrified at the thought of Sapphire being destroyed. This is the first time that anything like this has happened. The garden itself is secure and the dog has previously been well behaved."
Chairman of the bench, Claire Challinor, said: "We have heard and read letters of support of not destroying Sapphire but she does represent a danger and we do order the destruction of her, as there is a need to ensure the public are protected."
The dog was detained in police kennels following the incident.
The order for Taylor to pay £1,449 included court costs as well as £300 in compensation to the victim and £824 in kennel costs.
