A WREXHAM cleaner has been fined after her son's dog bit a police officer's leg and a kennel worker's groin.

Deborah McGowan, of Bell Court, appeared at Wrexham Magistrates Court on Monday afternoon.

The 56-year-old admitted that on March 9 she was in charge of an American Johnson Bulldog which, was dangerously out of control in Bell Court and injured a police officer.

Justin Espie, prosecuting, said the "very unfortunate incident" took place after police were called to a domestic incident.

When they spoke to McGowan, she had the dog on a lead as its owner, one of her sons, had left the location - making her the person in control of it by default.

The dog barked aggressively and knocked one of the officers back, latching onto her calf and shin and causing injury.

Mr Espie said the officer sustained immediate bruising and a puncture wound, which bled and became infected.

In a victim impact statement, the officer said the incident had made her more wary of dogs when attending incidents and caused a loss of sensation in her leg.

The court heard after biting the officer, the dog was put in kennels - where it attacked a kennel hand, biting them in the groin and dragging them to the ground.

Following that, the owner gave consent for the dog to be destroyed prior to the court hearing, but it wasn't known if that had already been carried out.

Melissa Griffiths, defending, said: "She is a lady who despite her poor mental health holds down a job as a cleaner in sterile pharmaceuticals.

"She has two sons, one of whom was the owner of the dog involved in this incident.

"Ms McGowan took the dog out and wasn't expecting [the police] to be there - the dog is powerful and she wasn't able to prevent it.

"She shouted at the dog immediately and it let go."

Phil Jones JP, chair of the Magistrates, said: "We understand completely how upsetting it is when something like this happens. "We have taken on board your obvious remorse."

McGowan was ordered to pay a fine of £253, compensation of £300, a victim surcharge of £34 and £85 costs.

A destruction order was also made in respect of the dog.