A woman was bitten on the hand as she struggled to free her Jack Russell from the jaws of a golden retriever.

Helen Murphy ‘screamed’ at the retriever called Lady as it shook the terrier.

Lady then turned on Mrs Murphy, sinking its teeth into her finger, Bingley magistrates were told.

Management consultant, Kimberley Malcolm, 49, of Birch Close Farm, Eldwick, pleaded guilty to being the owner of a dog dangerously out of control in Birch Close Lane on January 5, this year.

Malcolm was fined £500, ordered to pay £100 compensation and a £15 victim surcharge.

Prosecutor Heather Weir said Mrs Murphy was Malcolm’s neighbour and was walking Jess near her home, accompanied by her children aged nine and six, when Lady grabbed Jess.

Throughout the incident, Mrs Murphy was worried for the safety of her children.

Malcolm appeared and shouted at Lady to release Jess who had three puncture wounds on her side.

Malcolm’s husband arrived and they helped Mrs Murphy to take Jess home to await a vet, later paying the vet’s fee.

Simon Clegg, for Malcolm, said a gate had not closed because of snow and Lady got out. He said Lady was not an aggressive dog.

There was a new gate and there was no potential for another incident.

The bench ordered a suspended destruction order on condition that Lady was muzzled and on a lead when in public.