A DOG owner has been given the chance to oppose a destruction order on her German Shepherd which bit two police officers who were arresting her son.

Police attended the home address of Nicola Burr, 48, in Whitehaven on November 23 to arrest her son, Workington Magistrates’ Court was told.

Pamela Fee, prosecuting, said the male had answered the door and was arrested.

Ms Fee said the defendant had then opened the door and allowed two dogs to exit the property. The two police officers were then bitten by one of the dogs.

Burr was asked to control the dogs, which were tasered by the officers.

Ms Fee said Burr was complaining about the officers being there and arresting her son, rather than getting the dogs under control.

One of the police officers received cut marks to the arm and had to go to hospital to have the injury cleaned and was given a course of antibiotics. The other officer had a puncture wound to the finger.

Ms Fee said it was a ‘brief incident’ and it didn’t seem the dog had intentionally been let out.

During interview, Burr admitted having the dog and it being dangerously out of control.

She said the dog had acted instinctively when the officers were arresting her son, which had caused the dog to become defensive.

The defendant was ‘apologetic’ about the incident and asked if the officer was ok, the court heard.

Burr, of Loop Road North, Whitehaven, pleaded guilty to two charges of being the owner or person in charge of dog dangerously out of control causing injury.

David Martin, defending, said Burr, who wept throughout the court proceedings, was ‘mortified’.

He said: “You can see she is very upset. What seems to have happened – police turn up at the house to arrest her son.

“The dogs were in the living room and the door pushed open. She accepts she was in charge of them at the time.

“She is extremely sorry and remorseful. It’s certainly not intentional.

“As for the dog, we have had to discuss that the court should make a destruction order unless it’s found the dog is not a risk to the public.”

Mr Martin requested that the case be adjourned to allow a report to be prepared by a dog behaviourist.

He said: “Mia is a good dog and has never been involved in anything like this before. Mrs Burr is a good owner. There are three dogs in this family.”

Burr was fined £323 and must pay £85 costs and a £129 victim surcharge. She must also pay £100 and £50 in compensation to each of the police officers.

Magistrates adjourned a decision on the destruction order until February 7, to allow Burr to provide evidence that the dog can be ‘safely managed’.