A ROTTWEILER which escaped its owner’s property and bit a neighbour will be destroyed because of the danger it poses, North Somerset Courthouse ruled this week.

The dog bit Linda Dade in the leg on September 23 while she was on her driveway in Pinetree Road, Locking Grove, Weston, leaving her with puncture wounds.

The court heard on Monday how the dog warden had to call for back-up when he went to the property, while delivery men had reportedly been chased by the dog in the past.

The dog’s owner, Nigel Jones, aged 48, of Pinetree Road, pleaded guilty to one charge of a dog causing an injury in a private place and one charge of a dog causing fear of injury in a private place.

He told magistrates the gate to his property had been closed but not locked. He said he had put up extra fencing since the incident.

Chair of the bench Joy Yates said: “In the interests of public safety the only order we can make is one of immediate destruction.”

Jones was ordered to surrender the dog to North Somerset Council and fined �200.

He was also made to pay �200 in compensation, �35 costs and a �15 victim surcharge. He has 28 days to appeal against the decision.