Cordelia Barton’s dog - a Staffordshire bull terrier and American bully cross called Zeus - repeatedly shook the smaller dog, called Cosmos, as it bit its head, said Kathryn Walters, prosecuting.
The attacking dog would not let go despite the efforts of the spaniel’s owner and bystanders.
Cosmos needed surgery and 40 stitches inserting into the wound on its head. The widow had to have an emergency tetanus injection and other medical treatment and suffered a swollen right leg as well as the bite to her hand.
The widow told York Magistrates' Court she feared her beloved Cosmos would die on the anniversary of her husband’s death - the anniversary occurred about the time of the attack.
Barton, 56, of Church Lane, Wheldrake, pleaded guilty to having a dog when it was dangerously out of control and injured a person. She cried during much of the hearing.
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THE results of major ongoing work to help transform rail travel between York, Leeds and Manchester have been published.
