A PENSIONER is now “public enemy number one” in her picturesque village after a dog given to her by an animal charity injured a number of people and their pets.

A three-year-old girl was the youngest victim of the rehomed greyhound which was adopted by Valerie Wells.

The former racing dog called Sid also left a man “dripping with blood” after he stepped in to stop his own pet being attacked during an afternoon walk in Pembridge.

Wells, who is 69 and from East Street in Pembridge, admitted four counts of owning a dangerous dog when she appeared at Hereford Magistrates Court last Friday.

Lesley Ashton, prosecuting, said Sid has since been returned to the Greyhound Rescue Home but that “police are concerned that the dog poses a risk to the public”.

The court heard that the first incident happened on the afternoon of August 11 when Peter Klein was walking his terrier puppy on Millennium Meadow in the north Herefordshire village.

“The defendant seemed to be having difficulty with the large black greyhound,” said Mrs Ashton.

“It bounded away from the defendant who relinquished its lead and it launched itself at Mr Klein’s dog.

“It attacked the dog biting its neck and then tail, causing it to scream in pain.”

Mr Klein then attempted to loosen the greyhound’s ‘vice like’ grip on the puppy and it eventually let go.

The attack left Mr Klein’s hand ‘dripping with blood’.

The second incident happened on August 31 when Moyra Suthergill was injured when walking her dog in the same village.

“She struck the greyhound with her umbrella in order to stop it from biting her dog,” said Mrs Ashton.

“He then lunged towards Mrs Suthergill and bit her on the thigh.

“She hit the greyhound again with the umbrella and it stopped the attack allowing her to pull it away from hers with its harness.”

As a result of the attack Mrs Suthergill suffered bruising to her thighs.

A final attack happened on October 5 when a mother and her three-year-old child, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were walking their dog by the River Arrow.

Mrs Ashton added: “The dog bounded straight into the child and knocked her to the ground which caused her to scream.

“The mother turned to pick up her dog and went to get her child. The greyhound was being very aggressive and growling but was wearing a red muzzle.

“The dog was trying to hang onto the back of the woman’s dog who had to pull it off. The incident upset both of them and the child was very distressed.

“Wells didn’t have the strength or the ability to control the dog.”

Magistrates heard the incident caused a rip to the mother’s clothes, bruises to her chest and scratches to her back while the child received a small rip to her left ear.

Philip Cornell, defending, said that the Greyhound Rescue Home gave Wells the wrong size dog.

He said: “It was so big that a person 5ft 10ins tall could stand up and the dog could put its paws on their shoulders.

“It was totally the wrong animal for her and she tried to do her best.

“She has also sent a letter of apology to her victims.”

Magistrates gave Wells a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered her to pay compensation of £150 to Mr Klein, £100 to Mrs Suthergill, £250 to the mother and daughter, £135 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

Speaking after the sentence outside court, Wells said: “Sid wouldn’t go for anybody and was just after their dogs.

“I did know he was too big and couldn’t control him.

“Greyhounds are very gentle dogs and are family orientated.

“Now I am public enemy number one in Pembridge.”