A GERMAN Shepherd dog which had won at Crufts bit a woman and a 13-year-old boy in two separate incidents.

Blackburn magistrates also heard that the dog's owner had a previous conviction for keeping a dangerous dog.

Paul Anthony Kenneth Turner, 38, of Darwen Car and Commercials, Higher Clarence Street, Darwen, had been convicted in his absence on a previous occasion of two charges of having a dog dangerously out of control in a public place.

When he appeared before the court for sentence, the magistrates were told that they had the power to make a destruction order against Trooper, the seven-and-a-half year old dog.

But the case was adjourned until May 5 for the preparation of pre-sentence reports and the magistrates requested that police visit new premises to which Turner is moving his business to check what provisions are being made to ensure the dogs are securely housed.

Emma Keogh, prosecuting, said the two attacks occurred on the same night. Joanne Almond had gone to a taxi office in Clarence Street when she saw two German Shepherds approach her.

"The larger of the two dogs came over and, without warning, bit her on the thigh," said Mrs Keogh.

"When she got home she examined her leg and found teeth marks where the skin was broken, and bruising.

The 13-year-old boy was bitten by the same dog on his leg. The dog then took hold of his trousers and started pulling on them. Mrs Keogh said Turner had been convicted of a similar offence in 1997 although it was a different dog which was destroyed voluntarily.

Jonathon Jackson, defending, said the dog involved in the latest incident was called Trooper and he had won at Crufts under the name Sir Dynamite.

He said Turner's garage backed on to the River Darwen and while it was fenced on three sides he had relied on the river to act as a barrier and keep the dogs in.

"Since this incident he had built a separate compound for the dogs to be kept in when he is not there to have them under proper control," said Mr Jackson.

"Mr Turner cannot understand why Trooper would bite these people unless he was startled by them," said Mr Jackson. "My plea in mitigation is more one of asking you not to order the dog to be destroyed. If you can be satisfied they will not present a danger to public safety, it is within your power not to make such an order."

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