A COURT has ordered a Staffordshire bull terrier be neutered to calm it down after it left a teenager needing stitches to her foot.

Owner Michael Sanders said his dog, Max, was "just boisterous" as it attacked his half sister Donna Welsh, 19, at his mother's home in Bishop Auckland.

South Durham Magistrates heard how Ms Welsh was left with a 3cm "gaping laceration" after the dog went for her unexpectedly.

The 32-year-old, of Gudmunsen Avenue, pleaded guilty to allowing the animal to enter a public place where it was not permitted and cause injury.

Alison Nunn, prosecuting, said: "She (Ms Welsh)describes herself as very scared.

"The dog has gone into the front room and is running towards her and is biting her foot.

"She wants the dog to be put down. She says it is too powerful for her brother and he doesn't have control of the dog."

She added Max had attacked Ms Welsh a month earlier leaving her with some bruising.

Andrew Clinton, mitigating, said magistrates need to be sure the dog is a danger to the public for it to be destroyed.

Magistrates imposed a control order whereby Max must wear a muzzle outdoors, not enter his mother's home, on Gudmunsen Avenue, and be neutered by vets by December 11.

Sanders must also attend dog control lessons and magistrates could order the dog to be destroyed if the order is not adhered to. He must also pay his half sister £200 compensation.