A WOMAN has been ordered to muzzle her rottweiler after the dog bit a 10-year-old girl on the arm.

Magistrates have placed a control order on Helen Stevens to keep her five-year-old pet Ben muzzled in public indefinitely.

The court heard that the dog reared up on its hind legs and bit Kristen Owen on the forearm near shops in Southway.

Kristen, who lives nearby, was left scratched and bruised.

Mrs Stevens, aged 51, of Blackhall Gardens in Southway, agreed to the control order, which does not amount to a criminal conviction.

Magistrates discharged a contested count of allowing a dog out of control to cause injury after prosecutors offered no evidence.

Angela Furniss, prosecuting, said that Mrs Stevens tied up the dog to railings while she went into shops in Bampfylde Way on June 16.

Mrs Furniss claimed that the dog was tied by an extendable lead but accepted that this was disputed by Mrs Stevens.

She added that Kristen was part of a group and the dog started growling and barking.

Mrs Furniss said: "The dog placed its paws on her forearm and bit her other forearm. It lost its grip and scratched her down the arm."

She added that Mrs Stevens ran from the shop just after the incident.

Mrs Furniss added: "She was left with bruising and scratches to her left forearm and teeth marks on her right."

Paul Brookman, for Stevens, said that she did not see what happened because she was in a shop at the time.

He added that she came outside as soon as she heard the commotion.

Mr Brookman said that the girl had only suffered minor injuries.

The court heard that Mrs Stevens had given the girl her details to pass on to her mother and then called the police herself to report the incident.

Mr Brookman said: "The dog has never done this previously but she has taken the initiative to muzzle him herself."