A woman was left with permanent scarring after she was bitten in a park by a dog belonging to a homeless man, a court heard.

Stephanie Sutton was “screaming and hysterical” as Reece Mooney’s pit bull type pet sank its teeth in her, causing two wounds that became infected.

Mooney admitted being the owner of a dog dangerously out of control.

The victim was walking her three-year-old Japanese Spitz dog Sunny in Brenchley Gardens in Maidstone when the attack happened.

Ms Sutton wanted to avoid Mooney’s dog Rex because of a previous incident in which he bit and injured Sunny.

As she entered the park on August 8 2016, she walked towards the bandstand, thinking it was safe but then saw Rex run loose from behind a monument.

She picked up Sunny and cradled him, fearing another attack on him.

“Rex was walking low to the ground, as if stalking,” prosecutor Danny Moore told Maidstone Crown Court. “She saw the defendant come from behind the monument and begin to call Rex.

“She turned her back to Rex so as not to antagonise him. Rex began circling them. She felt his paws on her back and could hear him snarling.

“She describes becoming hysterical and screaming. She heard the defendant shout at Rex.”

“She turned her back to Rex so as not to antagonise him. Rex began circling them. She felt his paws on her back and could hear him snarling..." - Danny Moore, prosecuting

“Mr Moore said the victim had two wounds to her arm, each the size of a 5p coin. She was not given a tetanus injection or antibiotics and the wounds became infected.

When police questioned Mooney, 23, he referred to Sunny as “that rat” and claimed he had complete control over his dog.

Ms Sutton said she needed frequent medical attention after the wounds became infected and moved house to get away from the area.

But she added that she did not want the dog to be destroyed.

Mr Moore said the prosecution were aware how important dogs were to homeless people and “management” of Rex was important.

“The defendant obviously loves the dog,” he said. “The Crown says he is unable to control it in the street.”

Pamela Rose, defending, said Mooney had a breakdown and felt suicidal as Rex was his support. “For mental health reasons, Rex is very important to his wellbeing,” she added.

Mr Moore said there was a dispute as to what type of dog he was. He had 57 per cent of the characteristics of a pit bull terrier.

The court was not being asked to determine the issue, he said, and it would be decided by magistrates.

Judge Julian Smith said based on the findings, he would have to decide whether a destruction order was appropriate.

“We are all dog lovers here,” he said. “It is accepted he loves his dog and it is very important to him. The dog had been left without proper control. It ran across and caused injury.

“It is not the first time. My anxiety is if I make that order, I need to know exactly what my powers are and I need to find out if it is a prohibited dog.”

Sentence was adjourned until after the magistrates’ court decision. The maximum sentence after a trial is five years imprisonment.

Bail was continued and Judge Smith said there were “no promises in the meantime”.