A pensioner has been prosecuted after her two rescue greyhounds killed a miniature Yorkshire terrier in front of two young children.

Helen Dalglish, 73, who had never before been before a court, admitted being the owner of the two dogs when they were dangerously out of control in a public place – Carlisle's Keenan Park near Harraby.

But magistrates did not order the dogs' destruction after hearing that Dalglish was a lady of exemplary character, and a member of the Women's Institute.

Prosecutor Peter Bardsley described how Dorothy Lory, the owner of Max, the miniature Yorkshire terrier that died, had been out walking in the park with the dog and her two grandchildren, aged nine and seven.

At the time, the defendant was in the park, walking her two greyhounds, called Bonnie and Katja.

Dalglish was talking to another dog owner.

Mrs Lory had let Max off his lead to play with the children when, out of nowhere, the two greyhounds quickly ran at the terrier from behind.

“They cornered Max,” said Mr Bardsley.

As the children screamed out Max's name in alarm, the greyhounds attacked, leaving Max lying bloodstained on the grass.

Mrs Lory picked up the injured Yorkshire terrier, but despite getting him to a vet, the dog had a punctured lung and a broken neck and died later.

When Dalglish was later interviewed by the police, the pensioner expressed her remorse and explained that her two dogs were retired racing greyhounds which she got from a trust that rehomes such dogs.

There had been no previous incidents to suggest they posed a danger to either people or other dogs, she said.

On the day of the attack, July 5, Bonnie and Katja had suddenly run off through some trees at the park.

That was when she heard Mrs Lory cry out. Mr Bardsley then described the impact of the attack on Mrs Lory and her grandchildren.

“It happened in the field behind my home, and I've struggled to put this horrific incident out of my mind” said Mrs Lory.

“I was so scared for the safety of my grandchildren and myself.” Paul Tweddle, for Dalglish, said what happened was completely out of the blue. As a dog owner herself, she sympathised with Mrs Lory and her grandchildren, and had paid the family's vet's bill for Max.

“This was entirely out of character for the dogs she adopted,” said the lawyer. Since the incident, he said, she had done everything she could to minimise any potential risk, ensuring the greyhounds could not slip their leashes.

Mr Tweddle added: “She simply wanted to give a home to ensure that these two dogs had a good home for the rest of their lives.

“She's a lady of exemplary character, and a member of the WI. She doesn't want the dogs destroyed; she's shown the appropriate remorse and empathy.”

Magistrates made a contingent destruction order on the greyhounds – which means they will be allowed to live provided they are kept muzzled and on leads whenever they are in a public place.

Dalglish, of Gilsland Road, Durranhill, was also fined £40, with a £30 victim surcharge, and £85 prosecution costs.