A FORMER Bradford City player has admitted his XL Bully attacked another dog and its owner.

Wayne Heseltine, also a Manchester United academy product who went on to play over 50 games for the Bantams between 1992 and 1994 at full-back, appeared in Bradford Magistrates' Court on Friday.

Heseltine, of Sutton Drive in Cullingworth, admitted to being the owner of a dog, namely two-year-old Bruno, a beige XL American Bully, which was dangerously out of control causing injury.

The dog attacked a Labrador, named Daisy, on Cullingworth Road/Sutton Drive on July 24 earlier this year.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Bradford magistrate's courtThe prosecution outlined how the victim and his partner were walking Daisy across the junction at 3.30pm when they saw a large dog sprinting towards them.

The couple said Bruno appeared to lock his jaw around Daisy's neck, leaving her helpless on the floor.

Heseltine's son then came out of the house and, with the victim, helped pull the two dogs apart. The incident lasted for several minutes.

Daisy was taken to the vets for cuts on her neck, while the victim sustained injuries to his hand.

In a statement read out in court, the victim said: "I felt extremely distressed. I felt like I was going to watch Daisy die."

Heseltine, who was not at the house at the time, said the dog escaped through a hole in the fence behind the bin store. He also wanted to pay for the vet bills.

Significant upset was caused and the victim's injuries could have been more serious, the prosecution added.

Heseltine’s defence said he had no previous convictions and a “shield of good character”.

He owns three other dogs and spent £2,800 on a four-week course to get Bruno home-trained.

His defence added that he was an ex-professional footballer and did “not want this on his record”.

Heseltine works as a contract manager, earning around £50,000 a year.

The magistrates said the matter was “serious” and referenced the breed of dog as in the public interest given the imminent legislation.

They recognised Heseltine had taken all the reasonable steps that a good owner would have taken.

An order was issued meaning the dog must have a muzzle and lead on when in public.

He received a fine of £960, and had to pay £1,000 in compensation, £384 surcharge and £85 in court costs.

The magistrates concluded by saying: “There is no question people have suffered trauma and continue to.”