A WOMAN broke down in court after her “dangerous” dog was ordered to be destroyed.

Sharon Rebecca Faber, 37, of Richmond Road, Blandford, appeared in Weymouth Magistrates Court charged with being the owner of the dog and allowing it to be dangerously out of control in a public place and cause injury.

Paul Griffin, prosecuting, said the dog, a bull terrier type called Max, had caused puncture wounds to the leg of Samantha Elliot, a part-time DHL delivery driver.

The attack happened on April 16 at 5.30pm in Richmond Road when Mrs Elliot was delivering a parcel.

Mr Griffin said the attack had caused “puncture wounds and swelling” to Mrs Elliot’s leg.

He said: “She had to go to the doctor’s and was given a course of antibiotics and there is some suggestion that she wouldn’t get the feeling back in her leg.”

In mitigation, Kenny Sharpe, representing Miss Faber, said: “The dog went for the parcel rather than the person but at some point the dog injured Mrs Elliot.”

He added that he did not believe it was necessary to put the dog down and an order could be made to muzzle and leash the dog at all times instead.

Mr Sharpe added: “We will defiantly be appealing.”

Faber broke down in tears when chairman of the bench, Joan Dallyn, said: “In light of the injuries and aggravating features of Samantha Elliot, we’re going to order that this dog is destroyed.”

Faber was ordered to pay a £50 fine and £85 court costs.

Speaking afterwards, Faber said: “[Max] slipped out the gate and it was an accident. My heart goes out to the lady but it was an accident.

“I don’t know what I’m going to do just yet and now I have to surrender my dog and I have to go home and tell my kids.”

Magistrates ordered Faber to pay a £50 fine and £85 costs, as well as surrendering the dog within 24 hours to Police. She was told she would be eligible to pay kennelling and keeping charges while the dog stayed at the station.

The dog cannot be destroyed yet as the defence has 21 days to appeal.