A DOG owner allegedly stood and laughed as a Staffordshire Bull terrier cross savaged a 13-year-old boy.

And Blackburn magistrates' court heard that less than half an hour later the same dog attacked an eight-year-old girl as she played in a friend's garden.

The court heard that the second victim needed 25 stitches to her leg and that the boy was saved from more serious injury by his quick-thinking father, who ripped off the boy's pants and left them in the animal's mouth.

Waheeda Bawla, 25, of Cambridge Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to allowing a dog to enter a non-public place in Town Walk and cause injury to the girl and allowing a dog to be out of control in a public place, Sterling Drive, and cause injury. She was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay £300 compensation to the girl and £200 to the boy. She was also banned from keeping a dog for two years.

Lisa Worsley, prosecuting, said the incidents took place in August. The 13-year-old boy was playing in Sterling Drive when a large black dog bit him on the tummy and then got him on the ground and started biting him all over the body.

Ms Worsley said: "During the attack the boy saw the lady who was in charge of the dog and he was of the opinion she was laughing."

The boy was treated for bite wounds to his thighs, stomach and bottom. Michael Singleton, defending, said the dog had been destroyed.

On the day of the incident, he said, Bawla had taken it out using a lead other than the chain her brother normally used. She said the boy had beckoned to the dog which broke free from her and ran towards him.