A mother and her teenage son have appeared in court after their pet pit bull escaped and injured another dog.

Wioletta and Daniel Jozwik claimed that they did not know that the dog was a banned breed.

Kirklees magistrates today made an order for its destruction, but the pair escaped a total ban on keeping pets.

On May 5 Mark Wolf was walking past their Fanny Moor Crescent address with his dog.

Vanessa Schofield, prosecuting, said: “The complainant knows the dog that lives there and shouted to the lady (Jozwik) to keep her dog under control.

“But the dog ran out through a gap in the fence and attacked the complainant’s dog.”

Ms Schofield told magistrates that Mr Wolf tried to prise the dogs apart, suffering injury to his leg as he stumbled backwards. Mr Wolf’s pet received minor injuries .

Kirklees Dog Warden Service was contacted about the pit bull-type animal and it was examined.

Ms Schofield said: “It was established that it was a banned breed.”

Jozwik, 42, admitted being in charge of a dog which was dangerously out of control in public.

Her 18-year-old son pleaded guilty to having possession of a dog covered by the Dangerous Dogs Act.

The Act states that in the UK it is illegal to own a pit bull terrier as well as three other breeds.

Ms Schofield requested the destruction order for the Jozwik’s dog.

Magistrates heard that the pair had no previous convictions.

Hajra Khan, mitigating, said that they have lived in this country for seven years and owned dogs previously.

She said: “Daniel bought this dog from a friend at the beginning of the year and didn’t think that it was a banned breed in this country.

“It was only when this incident happened and the professionals got involved that it became clear that they are not allowed by law to have this dog.”

Magistrates made a destruction order for the dog, which had already been removed from the property and placed in professional care.

They also told Mr Jozwik to pay £110 fine, £20 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

Miss Jozwik must pay £318 fine, £85 costs and £32 victim surcharge.