A MAN whose dog attacked a mum in front of her two young daughters has been warned his pet will be destroyed if it does it again.
Mark Palmer, 56, let his boxer dog Charlie roam free on a track popular with walkers when it began attacking a Staffordshire bull terrier.
The dog's owner, Tamsin Murrell, tried to help her pet but was herself attacked by Palmer's dog, which bit her arm.
Ms Murrell was out walking with her five-year-old daughter and newborn baby.
Her elder daughter was in tears as she watched her dog and mum being bitten by the Palmer's pet.
Palmer, of Romford Grove, east Hull, stood by and watched as his dog attacked Ms Murrell's, Hull Magistrates' Court heard.
Prosecutor Waseem Raja said: "The complainant was walking her dog on a track near the bottom of Falkland Road on August 28, last year.
"She was with her young family when she decided to let her dog off the lead.
"That is when, out of nowhere, the boxer dog comes running over, pins the complainant's dog down and grabs it by the neck.
"According to the complainant, Mr Palmer just stood there. He had been walking his bike some yards behind his dog.
"The lady seriously thought her dog was going to be killed and was left with no choice but to get the boxer dog off herself.
"To do that she had to leave the side of her crying five-year- old daughter and her baby."
As she tried to separate the dogs, the boxer turned on her.
Mr Raja said: "The complainant was wearing a fleece, but could feel the dog's teeth sink into her arm. She pulled back but still the dog kept biting.
"There was blood pouring down her arm. She was in severe pain."
Palmer then dragged back his dog. Its mouth was covered in Ms Murrell's blood.
After Ms Murrell called the police, officers took her to Hull Royal Infirmary, where several bites were identified on her arm. They were glued together and she was given antibiotics.
Her dog was taken to the vets and was also put on antibiotics.
Palmer was later arrested by police on September 16.
In mitigation, Joanne Markham said: "This is clearly a very unpleasant incident and one Mr Palmer is sorry for.
"It has been his dog for many years now and he has not had any problems like this before. It has never liked other dogs but it has never had a problem with people.
"He has already taken steps to redeem himself by putting the dog on a lead whenever he takes him out for exercise.
"The dog lives at home with Mr Palmer, his wife and their grandchild.
"Mr Palmer fully appreciates the seriousness of the incident and it has had a big effect on both him and his family.
"He was surprised by what was going on.
"He has taken steps already to address this."
Palmer pleaded guilty to being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control and causing injury.
He was ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work over the next 12 months.
The court also ruled his dog must always wear a muzzle in public, can only be walked if it is on a lead and that no person under the age of 16 should be allowed alone with it.
Deputy district judge Sam Goozee said: "A young child was present as this attack happened and was clearly distressed.
"There is no doubt this was a traumatic incident for the victim and her family.
"This was a very unpleasant incident indeed.
"I have considered whether the dog should be destroyed because it may pose a threat to public safety.
"If anything like this happens again, the dog will be destroyed."
Palmer was also ordered to pay £85 in compensation to Ms Murrell.
He refused to comment when approached by the Mail.
