A woman and her dog were attacked by two out-of-control Staffordshire bull terriers as they were out walking.

Victim Julie Greer needed stitches and a tetanus injection after she was bitten on the head and body after the incident on Carlisle's Garlands estate. Her miniature schnauzer, Ralph, suffered seven puncture wounds to the head and body which also required treatment, Carlisle Crown Court heard.

They were attacked by the terriers owned by Lisa Robins, 40, who admitted owning two dogs - Rocco and Miley - which were dangerously out of control in a public place on August 8.

One charge stated that Rocco, while out of control, injured Mrs Greer.

Jack Troup, prosecuting, said Robins was with two children and the bull terriers on the estate at around 11am.

"During the course of the two parties walking, Rocco has approached or has grabbed Ralph," said Mr Troup. "Both the defendant and the complainant have attempted to intervene."

Ralph twice became free. But Rocco and Miley - neither on leads - then "chased" the schnauzer.

In a desperate bid to avoid further trouble, Mrs Greer lifted Ralph above her head.

"Rocco has continued to bite the complainant during the attack," said Mr Troup.

Mrs Greer received stitches to a finger on her right hand. She suffered a bite to her forehead and injuries to her forearm, left hand, stomach and knees.

Lawyer Catherine Ellis, defending, said Robins who was "shocked" at Rocco's behaviour.

"The defendant accepts fully that the injuries occasioned to Ralph and the complainant are as a result of her dog, Rocco, being aggressive towards Ralph," said Miss Ellis.

Robins, of Parkland Avenue, was "very upset and apologetic" at the time, and had since offered to pay Mrs Greer's £375 vet bill for Ralph's treatment.

Robins - said to be a woman of "positive good character" - had since taken steps to prevent any repeat.

She must now complete 80 hours' unpaid work, pay £375.75 compensation and £670 costs.

Recorder Andrew Shaw ruled that Rocco and Miley have to be on leads and muzzled when in public. Rocco must be neutered.

Recorder Shaw concluded it had been an "isolated" incident, and told Robins: "It would seem unreasonable to say that this was an incident that could have been foreseen by you."

The incident is the latest in a string of dog attacks in Cumbria. Last month German shepherd Rebel was spared a death sentence after its own er james cocnrane, 53, of Main Street, Cleator Moor admitted owning a dog which caused injury while dangerously out of control in a public place.

Rebel ran at a teenager in Workington singking its teeth into his leg. Cochrane was orderd to complete 60 hours' unpaid work and £400 comepndation.

Also last month the owner of a dangerous dog called Lucky was told iby Carlisle magistrates it wouldn't be destroyed – provided he had it castrated.

Mark Proudfoot, 30, of Stonegarth, Morton in Carlisle went to court to save his four-year-old Jack Russell cross after his mother Jean Kenney, 60, was prosecuted for being in charge of the dog when it bit a passer-by.

After she was convicted, magistrates imposed a destruction order but Lucky’s owner went back to court in an attempt to convince them that his dog should not be destroyed because it does not pose a danger to the public.