A STAFFORDSHIRE bull terrier has been ordered to be put down after attacking another dog.

A court was told the bull terrier, named Bruno, had escaped a death sentence 18 months earlier, despite a previous destruction order.

He attacked a woman walking alone and grabbed her West Highland terrier which she was trying to protect in her arms, causing it severe injuries.

Bruno’s owner, Richard James Harries, 44, of Victoria Road, Bagillt, admitted owning a dangerous dog that was out of control in a public place. The latest attack, on March 1, happened on wasteground behind the Deeside Furniture factory.

Harries was banned from keeping a dog for five years and a destruction order was made in respect of Bruno.

Harries was also ordered to pay victim Sandra Jones, who was bitten on the left ankle, £200 compensation for her injuries, £200 for the trauma she experienced and £340 vets’ fees.

At Flintshire Magistrates’ Court Harries was placed on a 12-month community order, under which he must carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and pay £85 prosecution costs.

The court at Mold was told that a cousin of Harries had been convicted in 2008 of a similar charge in respect of Bruno – but the destruction order then imposed was not carried out.

Magistrates were told Harries knew an order had been made but had never received any formal notification from the court.

Lionel Gregg, defending, said Harries accepted that there should be a destruction order.

He had not seen the dog since it was taken to the kennels on the day of the incident, the court was told.

Harries had not been involved in the previous prosecution and had not received any destruction order, although he had contacted the court and asked what he should do after reading a press report of the previous case, Mr Gregg said.

A charge of failing to comply with the earlier destruction order was dropped by the prosecution.