A dog owner has been ordered to keep their pet on a leash and muzzled after it escaped.

Paul Simon Conn's six-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier nipped another dog's paw when it escaped from his home in Cliff Gardens, Minster.

Police were called out to the scene in January, but had to wait nearly an hour for specialist dog handlers to arrive, Maidstone Magistrates' Court heard.

Officers cordoned off Cliff Gardens to "ensure public safety" and warned people nearby to stay indoors.

Once there, the handlers used shields to get the dog, known as Bella, back into Conn's property.

A hearing on Friday heard Bella escaped from a small hole in the fence created by one of the other two dogs Conn owned.

Bella was the only dog to escape.

Chairman of the bench Steven Rogers heard Conn had paid £120 to his neighbour, whose dog had been bitten, to cover vet costs.

Mr Rogers also saw character references stating Bella was a kind and playful dog.

Conn pleaded guilty to being the owner of a dog that was dangerously out of control.

He was punished by way of a fine and ordered to pay a total £348.

Mr Rogers also ordered Conn to keep Bella muzzled and on a lead in all public places for the rest of her life.

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