A woman has been ordered to keep her Rottweiler under proper control after the dog escaped and bit a pensioner.

Retired Derek Crossland had to have a tetanus jab after the pet, named Marley, sunk her teeth into his leg.

Kirklees magistrates heard that the dog may have been protecting her puppies when she struck as Mr Crossland walked past her Holmfirth home.

Her owner Heather Ahmed, of Green Mount, Cinderhills Road, pleaded guilty to being the owner of a dog dangerously out of control in public.

The Huddersfield court heard that there were previous complaints related to other dogs owned by the 44-year-old.

Mr Crossland, a neighbour of Ahmed, was attacked by Marley at 8.40pm on July 1.

He was walking along a public bridleway near to Ahmed’s home, which at the time had an open garden with no fencing.

Alex Bozman, prosecuting, said: “The Rottweiler came out of her garden, dropped down from the wall and bit him on the right leg, causing bruising and swelling with four puncture wounds.

“An ambulance was called for Mr Crossland and he had a tetanus jab.

“Mr Crossland said that as a result of the incident he’s on edge when he has to walk past the house.”

Yorkshire Ambulance Service
Mr Crossland was taken by ambulance for treatment

The court heard that other dogs owned by Ahmed and her family have been brought to the attention of Kirklees dog wardens.

The council brought a prosecution against her in July for being the owner of a dog dangerously out of control. This resulted in control orders being placed on two dogs owned by Ahmed.

Magistrates were told that one of these dogs has since been rehomed.

Ahmed and her family still own another Rottweiler and an elderly terrier.

Emma Haley, mitigating, explained that Marley escaped when Ahmed nipped inside for a few moments.

She said: “Marley came to the family as a puppy and does not constitute a danger to public safety.

Kirklees Magistrates Court, Huddersfield.
Kirklees Magistrates Court, Huddersfield.

“The dog is a loved family pet and Mrs Ahmed speculated that she bit because she was protecting her puppies.”

Magistrates heard that since the incident the family have had fencing erected around the property.

They ordered Ahmed to pay £100 compensation to Mr Crossland as well as £120 fine, £150 court charge and £20 victim surcharge.

They made a control order in relation to Marley.

The conditions of this include keeping the pet muzzled and on a lead while out in public.