A Milford mum who owned two Boxer dogs that bit an 11-year-old boy has been ordered to pay compensation to the victim.

Thirty-six-year-old Hayley Ward, of Oaklands, Mount Estate, pleaded guilty to being the owner of two Boxer dogs which were dangerously out of control and whilst so injured the victim, when she appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

Prosecutor Ellie Morgan told the court that the incident occurred on January 25, when the victim (who cannot be named in the press) was attacked by the two dogs, named Benny and Billy, on the Mount Estate, when he was walking home from school with his friend.

“The boy called one of the dog’s names and it ran towards him, put it’s mouth around his right upper arm and it’s teeth into his skin,” explained Ms Morgan.

“One dog then tried to go under the boy and remove his rucksack, before biting him on the ankle. Both dogs then bit the victim’s legs,” explained Ms Morgan.

The victim was treated by ambulance staff and a police officer spoke to Ms Ward, the owner of the two dogs.

“She said that the dogs had escaped the garden due to fence panelling being down from a recent storm,” continued Ms Morgan.

Ms Ward told police that she was ‘totally devastated’ by what had happened and that the dogs had never done anything like this before.

The complainant gave a victim statement to police stating that since the attack he had become scared of big dogs and was now always looking over his shoulder for any, and that he had also struggled to sleep since the incident.

The court heard how the victim had also been left with scarring to his right ankle and upper arm.

Defence solicitor, Mr. Alistair Veck told the court that Ms Ward had owned the dogs since they were puppies and had made arrangements to have them destroyed after the attack, but couldn’t go through with it on the day.

She has since taken one of the pets to Battersea Dogs Home to be re-homed, whilst the other one was now with her ex-partner.

“The Boxers were family pets and regularly slept in the same room as Ms Ward’s children, and there had never been any concern for their safety,” said Mr. Veck.

“This was an isolated incident and there have been no previous incidents of this nature.

“There appears to be slight differences in the story on what happened, as the victim appeared to have agitated the dogs over the fence, and on at least five occasions was told to stop winding them up.

“The doctor’s report described the wounds as superficial and that no stitches were required, only bandages,” continued Mr. Veck.

Magistrates told Ms Ward that she would have to pay compensation of £500 to the victim, and also costs of £85.

A contingent destruction order was passed for both dogs, requiring them to be muzzled and on a lead whenever in public.