MAGISTRATES told a woman she must muzzle her dog in public after it bit a postman.

Anne Robinson, of Chapel Row, Eppleby, near Richmond, appeared at Northallerton Magistrates Court yesterday.

The court heard that her small Irish wolfhound, Biggles, bit the postman on December 29 last year while being walked in Eppleby by Robinson's 15-year-old daughter.

The dog ran up to him snarling and then bit him on the calf.

Robinson, 43, said the dog had always disliked postmen.

"Before this incident happened, he would run at the postman when he hears or sees him, but he has never bitten anybody before," she said.

"I have complete confidence in him and I was very upset to hear he had done this."

Magistrates ordered that the dog be kept under control at all times and muzzled when he is in a public place.

Robinson was also ordered to pay £45 costs.