The owner of a border collie has been ordered to keep his pet on a lead and muzzled when in public.

Stephen Reeve from Bishop Auckland, was outside his house with the one year old dog when it broke free from his grasp and bit a young girl on the arm. Although the bite did not require stitches, it broke the skin and the five year old child had to be given anti-biotics to reduce the risk of infection.

Mr Reeve represented himself in court and pleaded guilty to failing to keep proper control of a dangerous dog. He made no comment during his appearance or when Magistrates imposed a control order on the dog which requires the dog to be always muzzled and on a lead when in a public place.

The owner was also ordered to pay the court costs of £43.