JULES the alsatian, who loves his family but does not trust strangers, is on probation after he bit an 11-year-old boy who called at his Kidderminster home.

Jules bounded out of the house in Offmore Road, Kidderminster magistrates heard.

He jumped up at the boy and bit his arm, causing a wound needing hospital treatment.

His owner, Neil Hookway, 26, admitted failing to control a dangerous dog and was fined £200, with £80 costs.

He was ordered to pay £100 compensation to the boy and to keep Jules under control in future.

His solicitor, Gary Harper, said Hookway was not at home at the time of the incident.

The four-year-old dog was always shut in a back room when visitors were expected.

Hookway's partner had heard the knock on the door and thought it was her son coming home. Instead it was one of his friends calling for him.

The dog leapt out of the door when he saw the caller was not a family member.

The couple were now ultra-cautious and Jules was muzzled when he was outdoors, said Mr Harper.