A FIVE-YEAR-OLD girl was bitten by an American Bull Dog crossed Staffordshire Bull Terrier which was already subject to a control order as a result of a previous incident.

Blackburn magistrates heard witnesses said the dog was not muzzled at the time of the incident and one claimed the muzzle was put on by Ian Hindle after the girl had been bitten.

But Hindle claimed the dog was muzzled at all times.

Hindle, 42, of Church Walk, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to being in charge of a dog which was dangerously out of control resulting in injury. The case was adjourned for a hearing on March 12 when evidence will be called to establish the facts.

The court heard the child suffered a "significant" injury to her hand. It was accepted the girl had asked Hindle if she could spray the dog with a water pistol and he said yes. The dog bit her after that.

Witnesses described Hindle as being under the influence of drink or drugs.

Waseem Chowdhary, defending, said his client accepted the girl had asked if she could spray the dog and he had said yeas. He claimed it was on the lead and muzzled at all times.

"He says perhaps the muzzle was not secure or the dog has somehow managed to bite outside the muzzle," said Mr Chowdhary. "He denies being under the influence of either drugs or alcohol.