A brave policewoman who went to investigate a dangerous dog running wild ended up receiving serious injuries when it attacked her.

PC Deborah Holmes of Keighley Police was shaken about like a rag doll by a Rottweiler bitch called Megan, Bingley magistrates heard.

She had called at the house of Karen Raine, of Mornington Street, Keighley, after reports that children were urging the dog to attack.

Raine was disqualified from driving for 12 months with immediate effect - her second disqualification in three years. The dog was also ordered to be destroyed and for a charge of criminal damage she was ordered to serve one day's detention - deemed to have already been served.

Patrick Gallagher, prosecuting, said that matters came to a head on August 24 last year when a young girl out playing was bitten on the thigh and wrist, causing her considerable pain.

The next day PC Holmes went to see Miss Raine, 27, who shouted an obscenity at her and slammed the door in her face. Returning to her car, she was approached by some children who expressed their concerns about the dog.

Mr Gallagher said: "They began to scream and run away and she saw the Rottweiler heading towards her.

"It bit her in the upper thigh and took hold of her. There was mayhem in the street. Urgent calls were made to the police as she was pulled to the floor where it pulled her about like a rag doll. She tried to draw the CS gas but because of the nature of the attack she was unable to do anything.

"The dog ran off and the officer was taken to hospital and has been off work for some considerable time."

Miss Raine was convicted in her absence on June 9 this year of having a dog dangerously out of control in a public place, causing injury.

John Holden, defending, said the dog did not belong to Miss Raine but she was looking after it on behalf of an acquaintance in whose home she was living. It was for this reason that she had pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Magistrates also sentenced her to two years probation for offences relating to dangerous dogs, two years probation for driving while disqualified and theft from a shop, and obstructing a police constable. All the sentences run concurrently.

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