A poodle had its eye ripped out when it was savaged by another dog, a court heard.

The miniature black poodle, called Mr Dibbles, needed emergency vet treatment following the attack on Hove seafront.

Peter Edwards, who owns cross-breed Freddie which carried out the attack, admitted failing to keep a dangerous dog under proper control in a letter to Brighton magistrates.

He was ordered to keep Freddie muzzled and on a lead in public places in future.

He was also ordered to pay £276 to cover vet bills and £450 costs to Brighton and Hove City Council, which took the case to court.

Len Batten, prosecuting, told magistrates the attack happened in May as Nolan Bonner, 68, of Kingsway, Hove, and friends walked Mr Dibbles home.

He told the court how, as the group waited to cross Kingsway, they heard someone shout: "Stop that dog."

They saw the dog dart towards Mr Dibbles before picking it up and shaking him.

The poodle had to have its damaged eye removed. In a letter to the court Mr Edwards, who works at a plant hire shop in Boundary Road, Hove, apologised for the attack.