A VICIOUS dog that bit a pensioner on his face is to be put to death on the order of a court.

On August 11 last year, John Meakin was out walking his five-year-old Shih Tzu dog Boo on the Seedfield Sports Centre field, off Parkinson Street, Limefield, when another dog started attacking his pet.

The dog then jumped up at Mr Meakin, aged 65, of Woodward Close, Limefield, and bit him on his hands and face before running off.

Shocked witnesses called 999 and Mr Meakin was taken to hospital and he had to undergo surgery.

He suffered gum injuries and had to have counselling to recover from his ordeal.

The police investigation originally went cold but Mr Meakin's daughter Jennifer turned super sleuth to track down the offender.

Ms Meakin, who works at a Co-operative shop, made a Facebook appeal for information and got more than 200 replies, one of which led police to the door of the dog's owner.

Stephen David Robinson, aged 48, of Spinney Drive, Limefield, was charged with being the owner of a dog called Belle, while she was dangerously out of control on a playing field and while she injured Mr Meakin.

Robinson admitted the offence to Bury magistrates on April 19 and was ordered to pay £800 compensation to Mr Meakin and £310 court costs.

He must also abide by the terms of a curfew, which means he must stay home from 8pm to 6am daily until June 13.

A charge related to the incident made against another defendant was dropped.

The court also ruled that Belle, described as a large tan-coloured lurcher-type dog with pointed ears, must be put down unless an appeal is lodged before May 10.

The bench ordered that Robinson hand over the dog to a Greater Manchester Police liaison officer so she can be put down.

After the hearing, Mr Meakin said: "It was a horrible experience. Even when I recovered, I would look at the pictures of my injuries and think about how it affected my life.

"The outcome of the court case draws a line under it for me and I just want to move on

"I've got mixed emotions. I don't want to see a healthy dog put down, but if this particular dog was to attack a child, the kid wouldn't stand a chance.

"Before the court case ended, I tried to take Boo for a walk, but I got to my garden gate and just froze. I couldn't do it."

"The day after the sentencing hearing, I took my dog onto the field and it's the first time I've been able to do that. I can't describe how good it felt."