A STEVENSTON woman has avoided having her dog destroyed after it attacked another dog whilst off its lead.

Catherine O’Neil, 38, of Alexander Avenue, appeared at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court last week where the court heard that on November 30, 2015, a man was walking his dog, a springer spaniel, with his four-year-old son on Gilmour Wynd, Stevenston when O’Neil’s daughter was walking with their Staffordshire Bull Terrier named Chuckie when it began running and pushed past the four-year-old to get to the other dog.

The staffie attacked the dog and attached itself onto the other dog’s rear legs and failed to let go.

The owner of the springer spaniel’s son was described as tearful and the O’Neil’s daughter ran to the commotion after the dog had got away from her and attempted to separate the dogs.

O’Neil arrived at the scene but she was in too much shock to assist before a member of the public managed to separate the dogs by kicking the staffie.

The complainer contacted the police and the court heard that all parties were upset by the incident and that the injured dog required an operation for 12 puncture wounds.

O’Neil, who is a single mother who works in charity shop, got the dog from a friend and was not aware of its history of behaviour before Sheriff Elizabeth McFarlane interjected saying: “Now she does.”

Brian Holliman, defending, said that the incident had been upsetting and that she had apologised the evening of the incident.

He added that the victims were ‘dog lovers’ and did not wish to see the dog destroyed.

Sheriff Elizabeth McFarlane said: “Have no doubt that your dog has come very close to being put down today. God forbid anything had happened to that child and I’m sure you would have found that hard to live with.”

O’Neil was fined £350 and the dog was ordered to wear a muzzle and be on a lead for five years when out in public, or be destroyed.