A DOG behaviour expert is to be brought in to assess the psychological make up of two Staffordshire bull terriers which allegedly attacked an 11-year-old girl.

The dogs face a possible destruction order if their owner, Emma Clements, is convicted of allowing them to be dangerously out of control in public.

But Andrew Church-Taylor, defending, asked Blackburn magistrates to adjourn hearing the case so that he could instruct a Fylde-based canine behavioural psychologist.

Speaking after the court hearing Mr Church-Taylor said the magistrates needed to be satisfied that the dogs were not a danger to the public if they were not to make an order for the destruction of the animals.

"The assessment we are seeking is similar to that obtained by Princess Anne following a recent incident involving one of her bull terriers," said Mr Church-Taylor.

"The expert will spend time with the dogs, assessing their temperament and nature, and provide a report based on that contact."

Clements, 21, of Dickens Street, Blackburn, has been summoned under the Dangerous Dogs Act of 1991.

If the allegation is dealt with at the magistrates' court she faces a maximum sentence of six months in prison and the court can order the destruction of the dogs.

Her bull terriers, Bruno and Cinders, allegedly attacked an 11-year-old girl on January 7 after a neighbour left a door open.

Two men had to kick the dogs away after rushing to help the youngster.

The girl needed hospital treatment after the alleged attack and her father said he wants the animals destroyed before they can attack someone else.

He told the Lancashire Evening Telegraph that he didn't think it was right to take the chance that other children could be attacked by the animals.

The dogs live with their owner and her children - Dion, four, and one-year-old twins Jack and Jordan - and she claims they have always been well behaved in the past.

She said: "I don't want the dogs to be put down.

"This is the first time anything like this has happened so I don't think there is any need to destroy them," she added.