A SOCIAL worker spent 11 days in hospital after being attacked by a guard dog.

Linda Avey was bitten on the leg by a German Shepherd as she visited the former Sunblest Bakery in Bexhill Road, Woodingdean, Brighton.

She fell to the ground, smashing her ankle in three places. When her colleague David Spriggs went to help he was badly bitten on the wrist.

Brighton magistrates dismissed the case against the dog's owner, Robin Flint, after he denied two charges of having a dog dangerously out of control in a public place and the court heard the incident took place on private property.

The court was told the attack happened on March 3 at the former bakery where Mr Flint now runs a car breakers yard.

As the social workers, employed by Brighton and Hove Council left, the dog, which had been chained up in the yard broke free.

Mrs Avey said: "The dog bounded over and went for my leg and pulled me over. I realised as I hit the floor my ankle was badly damaged.

"I thought the dog was going to go for my face. Mr Spriggs put his hand out and was bitten on the wrist.

"I was screaming and in a lot of pain."

Mr Spriggs was given a paper towel to stop the bleeding from his wound and managed to drive Mrs Avey to hospital. The next day she had an operation to insert a metal plate and pins into her ankle.

She told the court she did not see any notices warning that a guard dog was on the site and the gates were open.

After the hearing Mr Flint, of Richmond Terrace, Brighton, said: "I am relieved it is all over. The dog was only doing its job and it is still working as a guard dog."

Len Batten, prosecuting for Brighton and Hove Council, said the authority would consider appealing against the magistrates' decision.

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