A 14 year old girl walking home from school with her younger sister was attacked by a dog, a court has heard.

Blackburn Magistrates' Court was told how the girl suffered two bite wounds to her chest which required hospital treatment from the pocket bully dog called Hugo.

Jordan Greaves, 22, of Ballantrae Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to being the owner of a dog dangerously out of control.

He was made subject to a community order for 12 months with 20 days Rehabilitation Activity Requirement.

He was also fined £30 and ordered to pay £45 compensation to the child victim.

The court made a contingent destruction on the dog, which must be on a lead and muzzled and under the control of a person over the age of 16 whenever it is in public.

If these conditions are not kept to, Hugo faces the risk of being put down.

Scott Parker, prosecuting, said the victim and her sister were passing the defendant's home on November 3 when she was attacked by the dog without provocation.

"She suffered two lacerations to her chest which were glued at hospital," said Mr Parker.

Helen Oates, mitigating for Greaves, said an animal behaviour expert had been involved in the case and had prepared a report.

He said the dog had not been aggressive in any way while it had been in kennels since the incident in November.

"My client has complied with all the suggestion he made, including installing a baby gate in the house and fitting a secure bolt to the garden gate," said Miss Oates.

A Pocket Bully is a hybrid dog that is bred from an American Pit Bull Terrier and a Patterdale Terrier.