A WOMAN needed medical attention after being bitten by a 'protective dog' as she delivered groceries to a home in Kington.

Hereford Magistrates Court heard last week that it was just after 8pm on May 7 when Jacqueline Turner, who worked at the Co-op in Kington, delivered two bags of groceries to the home of Mr and Mrs Anning, on Greenfields.

Mrs Anning came to the door, leaving it slightly ajar, and Ms Turner recalled seeing a large Alsation type dog sitting on a chair and barking.

Lesley Ashton, prosecuting, said the dog then came to the front door and bit Ms Turner’s right forearm, holding on for several seconds until it was pushed back by its owner.

Back in her car, Ms Turner discovered her right arm was pouring with blood, the court heard.

She was given a towel by Mrs Anning and told her it would have to be reported before attending Hereford County Hospital.

At Hereford Magistrates Court last week, Robin Anning, 60, pleaded guilty to one count of being the owner of a dog dangerously out of control at its home address causing injury.

The court heard that when interviewed about the incident by police, Mr Anning said he had attempted to signal to Ms Turner to leave the groceries on the doorstep and when she did not respond his wife went to the door.

He described the dog as being 'very protective' and four years old, Ms Ashton said.

Philip Cornell, defending, said: "Mr Anning was doing his best to try and communicate with her through the window to tell her to leave the bag on the doorstep but she did not."

He added: "They are extremely sorry. They had had the dog from a puppy but it had been abused. They gave it a loving home."

The couple had been using a muzzle on the dog in public to prevent any further incidents, the court heard.

Magistrates fined Mr Anning £200, ordered him to pay £200 compensation, £135 costs and a £30 victim surcharge.

They also issued a restraining order on the dog requiring it to be muzzled in public and when there are visitors to the address and kept on a lead in public.