A WOMAN carrying out an official visit at a Blackburn home was bitten by a tiny chihuahua-cross dog.

Blackburn magistrates heard the attack happened in the garden of Roseanne Evans' house who told police the dog had never been aggressive before.

Evans, 46, of Vincent Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control. She was ordered to pay £200 compensation and £85 costs.

Stacey Morrow, prosecuting, said the victim attended for a pre-planned visit at the defendant's home. There was no answer when she knocked and she decided to go next-door where Evans' daughter lived.

As she walked down the garden the dog jumped over a concrete panel separating the gardens.

"She was scared of it and tried to walk away but the dog bit her on the left leg, just above the ankle," said Miss Morrow. "The victim went to hospital and was given antibiotics."

In a victim impact statement she said she was nervous about going to people's houses which she has to do as part of her job.

Imran Hussain, defending, said the dog, called Mellie, was a cross between a chihuahua and a Jack Russell and was extremely small.

"It was a much loved family pet, not a muscular fighting dog of the kind associated with gangs," said Mr Hussain.

"It was a rescue dog which had formerly been mistreated."

Mr Hussain said he spoke about the dog in the past tense because it had since died.

"My client was shocked that Mellie had bitten someone because she had never been aggressive before," said Mr Hussain.

"There were no red flags to warn this may happen."