A PENSIONER whose rottweilers attacked a Jack Russell has been allowed to keep his beloved pets provided they are muzzled and kept on a lead while in public.

Anthony Silvester, aged 69, has also been forced to spend £1,800 re-inforcing gates and fences to ensure the seven-year-old dogs can’t escape from his home at Powers Farm, Ombersley, near Worcester.

As previously reported in the Worcester News, Silvester pleaded guilty to two charges of allowing a dog to be dangerously out of control and cause injury following an incident on Friday, July 1.

Helen Phillips was walking her three small dogs, one of which was called Rocky, near Silvester’s 400-acre property when the two rottweilers charged towards them.

Liam Finch, prosecuting at Worcester Magistrates Court, said: “She knows Mr Silvester personally and she believes that his rottweilers had attacked other dogs prior to attacking hers.

"Both rottweilers charged up the driveway, grabbed Rocky and began throwing him around. They are very aggressive.”

Mr Finch said Silvester was eventually able to bring the dogs under control but Rocky received bite marks and Ms Phillips was left with bruising on her shin. Rocky was taken to the vet’s, which resulted in a £111.61 bill.

In a statement, Ms Phillips said she is “terrified” of the dogs since the attack and is nervous when walking her own dogs.

On August 31, magistrates deferred sentence for one month for Silvester to install a gate, make sure his property was secure and keep the dogs on a lead and muzzled when not in the secure area.

Yesterday, the court was shown a report from a police officer who confirmed that the necessary work has been carried out.

Silvester was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay £100 compensation and the £111.61 vet’s bill to Ms Phillips.

Passing sentence, chairman of the bench Lynne Brown said: “They are large dogs and you had difficulty controlling them.

"You must make sure that doesn’t happen again in the future.”

Silvester was also ordered to pay £85 costs.