A horrified couple fought in vain to save their pet Jack Russell from an out-of-control bull terrier type dog.

The distressing attack happened in Carlisle's Rydal Street on October 11 last year, magistrates sitting at the city's Rickergate courts complex heard.

Thirty-five-year-old Wendy Jones, of Botcherby Avenue, Botcherby, Carlisle, was the woman who was supposed to be in charge of Mia, the bull terrier type dog involved.

She yesterday admitted two offences of being in charge of a dog that was dangerously out of control.

Pam Ward, prosecuting, described how the dog which died as a result of the attack was called Millie.

Its owners, Kim Scott and Harry John Nicholson, were taking it for a walk in Rydal Street when it was suddenly grabbed by the large brown terrier like dog, which had escaped from the flat where it was being looked after.

Witnesses saw the larger dog snatch the Jack Russell in its jaws and violently shake it, the court was told.

In a desperate bid to save their dog, Mr Nicholson hit the attacking dog hoping to make it drop Millie. His partner also tried to save the dog.

Both were injured as they tried to save their pet.

Jones, who had been looking after the dog for a man who was at that time serving a prison sentence, screamed and shouted at the dog.

She also hit the terrier type dog, making it finally release its grip of Millie.

But the Jack Russell's injuries were so serious that she died a short time later.

The court was told that Jones had asked the RSPCA to look after the dog but she was told that this was not possible. She admitted she could not cope with Mia.

At the time of the offence, she was living in Rydal Street where the dog's owner had lived and she had agreed to look after it and take it for walks.

But on the day of the attack, Mia had escaped from the flat.

Magistrates approved a destruction order against the dog, but this can not be carried out before the owner has been given a chance to argue that the dog should not die, the court was told.

The case will be brought back to court on April 6 to consider that issue.

Meanwhile, Jones was given a one-year community order, and an electronically tagged curfew for two-months between 7pm and 7am every day.

In addition, she was banned from owning a dog for 5-years, and must pay compensation to the owners of the Jack Russell of £150 each for injuries they both suffered and the loss of the dog. Jones was told that she must pay £85 in prosecution costs.