A DOG has been ordered to be destroyed after it bit a 75-year-old woman.

A court heard the American bulldog cross Staffordshire bull terrier, named Tammy, who was being looked after by Andrew Del Piero, 67, of Selborne Street, Blackburn, was ‘dangerously out of control’, in Hozier Street, when it attacked Sandra Danskin.

Blackburn magistrates decided the destruction order was appropriate after seeing pictures of the woman’s puncture wound.

Representations for other decisions were put forward, but the magistrates said there was no other resolution that could be appropriate ‘for such a physical and dangerous dog’.

Del Piero was also ordered to pay £500 compensation.

The court heard at a previous hearing that the attack happened as Mrs Danskin was weeding in an area that children like to play.

Prosecuting, Catherine Allan, said: “This dog ran out of a gate and attacked her. It grabbed her gloved hand and ripped the end off, before it flew at her again.

“Mrs Danskin turned her back to protect her face and the dog bit through her trousers and into her thigh, ripping the skin.”

Gareth Price, defending, told the court his client was only looking after the dog for the owner, who was in hospital.