THREE people are to be committed to Crown Court in connection with a vicious dog attack which left a seven-year-old boy in hospital.

Mandy Cox, 28, Jacqueline Cox, 16, and John Ronald Cox, 19, all of Penistone Street, Burnley, have been reported for summons for owning a dog, or dogs, and allowing it, or them, to be out of control in a public place and causing injury to a person.

They have all entered not guilty pleas.

Nick Dearing, acting on behalf on the Cox family, said the dogs had never caused any other problems to any member of the public in the past.

Sam Leverett, of Broughton Street, was savaged by seven dogs while walking to a shop near his home on Saturday, March 1.

He suffered injuries to his arms and legs during an attack which resulted in life-threatening injuries.

He was rescued by a passer-by walking his dog and two young girls used their mobile phones to call for an ambulance. They were all presented with a civic honour for their actions.

The case has been adjourned for committal proceedings at Burnley Magistrates Court on June 27.