A BURNLEY couple have been ordered to pay a total of £468 after their dog attacked a three-year-old girl in the street while dangerously out of control.

Stuart Andrews, 53, and Caroline Brierley, 62, appeared before Burnley Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, June 21, for sentencing over the incident which occurred on October 19, 2021.

The pair had pleaded guilty to being the owners in charge of a dog dangerously out of control which caused injury at an earlier hearing in Blackburn Magistrates’ Court on May 19.

On October 19, in Finsley Gate, Burnley, the pair were in charge of their American Bulldog called Sasha which was dangerously out of control and attacked a young girl.

In sentencing on Tuesday, magistrates told the couple that their dog Sasha must be kept on a lead and harness at all times while out in public and must be muzzled to prevent her from biting anyone.

A destruction order on Sasha was not put in place as the attack was described as an “isolated incident”.

The pair, of Parkinson Street, Burnley, were both ordered to each pay £50 compensation to their victim, along with court costs of £40 each and a surcharge to fund victim services of £34 each. Andrews was also fined £140, while Brierley was fined £80, for a total combined amount of £468.

Female American Bulldogs can weigh up to 41kg (almost six-and-a-half stone) and are a large, muscular breed of dog.

They are typically a social and confident breed but can be aggressive towards strangers if not trained and socialised properly at a young age.