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More on KentOnline
A boy has been left emotionally scarred after a dog attacked him in the street, a court heard.
The nine-year-old schoolboy was making his way to his gymnastics class in Chatham when the incident happened in Shipwrights Avenue.
Douglas Ainsworth, of Skinner Street, Gillingham, was later charged with allowing the English bull terrier to be dangerously out of control in a public place and cause injury.
The 66-year-old pleaded guilty when he appeared before Medway Magistrates' Court this week.
Matthew Quantrill, prosecuting, said the incident happened at 4.50pm in April when the victim was on his scooter.
When he got near the dog, it circled round Mr Ainsworth before biting the boy on the arm.
The owner pulled the dog away using the lead and the boy ran home with scratches and bruising.
"He is anxious about being alone and had quit his gymnastics class because he is scared of going out alone..." - Matthew Quantrill, prosecuting
Police visited the dog's owner, Ainsworth's daughter, and were told her father walked the dog because it "had become too strong" for her.
Officers advised the animal should be muzzled, but the court heard it has been seen without a muzzle on multiple occasions since.
Mr Quantrill added that the victim now has an increased fear of dogs.
He said: "He is anxious about being alone and had quit his gymnastics class because he is scared of going out alone."
Ainsworth, who served 12 years in the Royal Engineers, was fined £75 and ordered to pay court costs of £85, a £20 victim surcharge and £100 compensation.
He was also told the dog must be muzzled at all times while out in a public place.
