A JUDGE has slapped a control order on a dog that bit a man in Leverington, leaving him in need of two stitches.

In future, Maxine the Black Russian Terrier must be muzzled and on a lead when ever she is taken out in public.

Her owner, Valerie Williams, 66, of Carlton Close, Leverington, admitted a complaint that the dog had been dangerous and out of control when it bit Terence Bishop in the village on June 6.

Mr Bishop had been working in his garden in Maysfield Drive when he saw the dog out alone, prosecutor Andrea Fawcett explained to Deputy District Judge Jones.

“He walked to the end of the road and did not seen anyone with the dog,” she said. “He walked about 40 or 50 metres with the dog behind him.

“He felt the dog’s teeth sink into his forearm, and it bled. Mrs Williams took him to hospital. He needed two butterfly stitches to seal the wound.”

Williams told police that her partner had taken one of their dogs out that day, but left Maxine at home, and the gate had not been fasted properly.

Solicitor John Clarke said Williams was remorseful and surprised at the dog’s behaviour.

“It wandered out when the other dog had been taken for a walk,” he said. “It appeared in someone else’s garden, and he took the dog back. For some inexplicable reason it bit a stranger.”