A WOMAN watched in horror as her pet dog was killed by a rogue motorcyclist travelling at 50mph near playing fields, a court was told.

Blackburn magistrates heard the dog was killed instantly as it was sent flying 100ft back by the collision at Tower Road, Pleasington.

The pillion passenger was also left lying motionless as the bike rider, Arran John Malpass, ran away limping badly from the injuries he had received.

The dog's owner, Rita Dickinson, who was with her daughter at the time, was left to tend to the pillion passenger and phone for an ambulance and the police.

Malpass, 19, of Faroes Close, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to driving without due care, failing to stop after an accident, using an uninsured vehicle, and driving without a licence.

He was disqualified from driving for 12 months and fined £250 with £35 costs.

Wendy Chappell, prosecuting, said Mrs Dickinson and her daughter had taken her two dogs for a walk at Pleasington playing fields at about 4.30pm on January 11.

As they were making their way back to their car they crossed the road with one of the dogs but the other, a bull mastiff, was on the grass on the other side.

"At that stage Mrs Dickinson heard a motorbike coming towards them," said Mrs Chappell.

"She took hold of the dog with her to prevent it going on the road, and decided not to shout for the bull mastiff because she thought it would be safer.

"As the bike came into view it was travelling at 50mph on the road but, to Mrs Dickinson's horror, it turned to the left on to a collision course with her dog," said Mrs Chappell.

"A split second later it collided with the dog," she added.

Clare Knight, defending, said Malpass accepted there was no excuse for his behaviour.

"He wishes to apologise to the dog's owner for what happened," said Miss Knight.

"After the incident he simply panicked and that is why he ran off."