A WOMAN whose dog savaged and kill another dog has escaped a jail sentence.

Laurie Smith, 42, pleaded guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to owning a dog that was dangerously out of control was on Thursday ordered to perform 80 hours unpaid work in the community.

The court heard that Smith’s Staffordshire bull terrier Dakota was so out of control that even hitting it on the head with a hammer failed to stop its attack on King Charles spaniel Buddy.

The incident took place in Glasgow’s Daisy Park on November 14, 2018.

The court heard Dakota had previously lunged at another dog named Rocky in October 2018 in the same park.

Rocky had an injury to his head which needed nine stitches.

The following month while walking Dakota in the park they encountered Anne Doyle, 63, and her dog Buddy.

Prosecutor Stuart McLean said: “There was a conversation between them and as Miss Doyle walked away Dakota lunged at Buddy.

“Dakota bit him to the side of his head which caused Miss Doyle to scream.”

Sarah and Aaron McColl, who lived nearby, heard the commotion and came to assist.

Mr McLean stated: “Miss McColl grabbed Dakota by the harness to pull him off who by this point had Buddy’s head in his mouth and wouldn’t leave it.

“Smith punched Dakota on the head trying to get him to release as did Mr McColl but this had no effect.”

A struggle between Mr McColl and Buddy continued while Miss McColl left the park before returning with a hammer.

Mr McLean said: “She struck Dakota with the hammer a number of times to release the dog which had no effect.”

Eventually it was possible to pull the two dogs apart.

Buddy was taken to a vet and died later that morning.

The hearing was told Smith had Dakota put down

Lawyer Douglas McAllister, defending, said: “She is heartbroken that two dogs have lost their lives.

“She had to take the inevitable and responsible decision and she had no other option - she couldn’t allow this to happen for a third time.”

Sheriff Gerard Considine ordered to Smith, who is unemployed with one previous road traffic conviction, to carry out 80 hours unpaid work.