A DOG being looked after by a friend of the owner attacked a child who called at the house, a court heard.

The German Shepherd briefly got out of the door and bit the boy on the arm, causing injuries, while he also suffered a wound to the back of the head, thought to have been caused when he fell during the incident, on September 24.

Defendant Keith Collins was said to have been in temporary charge of the German Shepherd, Leo, and another dog belonging to the owner, who was on holiday at the time.

Appearing at a plea hearing at Durham Crown Court, the 58-year-old, of Arcadia, Chester-le-Street, admitted a charge of being in charge of a dog which caused injury while being dangerously out of control.

Paul Rooney, prosecuting, told the court both the dogs involved in the incident were handed to police and have since been destroyed.

Asked what the maximum sentence is for such an offence, Mr Rooney said it was usually two years, but, due to the injury involved, it is up to five years in this case.

Judge Christopher Prince adjourned the case to allow the mother of the attacked boy to submit a victim impact statement, with an up-dated medical report on the extent of his injuries.

The judge bailed Collins to return for sentence on February 9, but issued an interim order banning him from taking control or care of any dog.