A YOUNG girl's plea for the life of a dog which attacked her fell on deaf ears at Teesside Magistrates Court, yesterday.

Magistrates heard how nine-year-old Samantha Louise Floyd was savaged by the German Shepherd dog as she rode her scooter one evening last January.

The dog, belonging to Leslie Harrison, 61, of Birchington Avenue, Grangetown, Middlesbrough, was in a garden when it got out through a gate and ran up to her, biting her around her face and ears.

The court heard how the frightened girl ran home and was taken to hospital for stitches.

Scott Walker, defending, said: "The dog is a family pet and is seven years old. It has never caused any trouble to anyone and is very friendly. "It is allowed to play with children and there have never been any difficulties with the dog.

"This incident has been totally traumatic for Mr Harrison and he arranged a meeting with the young lady and her parents.

"They came to his house and she showed no signs of being frightened by the dog and we will never know precisely what caused the dog to do this.

"The young lady concerned became very distressed when it was suggested the dog should be destroyed and she expressed a view that that should not happen."

But magistrates ordered that the dog should be destroyed and that Leslie was to pay the youngster £350 in compensation.