A JAPANESE Akita that sank its teeth into another dog’s neck and refused to let go must be muzzled in public for the rest of its life, a court ruled.

It took Stephen Stewart more than a minute to pull his dog Polo off the Shetland sheepdog when it attacked the other animal at Scouts Field in Shildon, County Durham, on March 3.

Stewart, 48, of Proudfoot Drive, Bishop Auckland, admitted his dog was dangerously out of control in a public place at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court today (Tuesday, June 4).

Jonathan Bambro, prosecuting, said Keira, the Shetland sheepdog, had undergone two operations to treat the deep puncture wounds sustained to her neck.

Mr Bambro described how Keira’s owner had been walking her two dogs on the field when she encountered Stewart holding Polo on a lead.

“The Akita lunged towards her and pounced on the female dog Keira,” said Mr Bambro.

“Keira was pushed to the ground and pinned on her back as the Akita bit and ripped at her neck.”

The court heard how Polo had attacked another dog six months ago.

Laura Mooby, mitigating, said Stewart, a factory worker, had acted quickly to regain control of his dog and had already paid £185 towards Keira’s vet bills.

She said Polo was a rescue dog and was always kept on a lead due to his unpredictable behaviour around other animals.

“Mr Stewart has never had any problems with his dog’s approach to humans,” Miss Moorby added.

Magistrates issued a contingent destruction order, requiring Polo wears a muzzle and is kept on a lead in public at all times.

Stewart, who has no previous convictions, was fined £250 and was ordered to pay a £25 victim surcharge and £142.26 compensation to cover the remaining vet fees.