A dog who bit a man's ankle and left him suffering anxiety must be kept on a lead but has avoided being put down.
Dog owner Julie Forster, 48, admitted in court that her cross-Westie Charlie had attacked Connor Campbell, 28, in Easedale Gardens Park, Wrekenton, Gateshead.
He ran for cover after feeling a nip near his ankle on Wednesday, September 30 – and now suffers broken sleep and night sweats.
Magistrates in South Tyneside hit Forster, of Springwell Road, Wrekenton, with a contingent destruction order – but Charlie will not be put down.
Instead, she must muzzle him and keep him on a lead when going for walks in public for the rest of his life.
Prosecutor Leanne Duffy said: “Mr Campbell was walking when he felt a little nip to his left leg.
“He saw a dog, which again went for his left leg. He ran towards the bandstand and jumped up onto the ledge.
“After the incident the victim did feel some nipping to his leg and pulled up his trousers and saw a U-shaped wound.”
In a victim statement read to the court, Mr Campbell said he suffers anxiety as a result of the attack.
He added: “I find it difficult to sleep, and if I do sleep, it’s only for 15 minutes and I wake up in a cold sweat.”
Tom Iceton, defending, told magistrates: “I ask first and foremost that you give full credit to this lady. She is of previous good character.
“This has been a dreadful experience for her. She has a little terrier, who is a comfort blanket for her.
“She has had no issues with him in the past and she has no idea why it ran towards this man.
“When she takes the dog out, he’s always on a lead and is muzzled. She wants you to know he will always be on a lead.”
As well as the order, magistrates ordered Forster to pay Mr Campbell £100 compensation, with £85 court costs.
There was no victim surcharge.
