The Tre’r Ddol owner of a German Shepherd dog which bit the arm of a boy has been fined by magistrates.

Tracey Donnelly, of Bryn Hafred, appeared before Aberystwyth Magistrates’ Court on 22 October.

The 40-year-old pleaded guilty at the hearing to being in charge of dog dangerously out of control that caused injury to a boy at her home address on 7 March.

The German Shepherd dog called Zeus, which the court heard performed a medical role in the home, was ‘nervy and anxious’ by nature, magistrates were told, especially when new people came to the house.

The court heard that the boy was warned to not go into the house alone before the incident.

He received a single puncture wound to the arm from the bite, the court heard.

His parents were notified, and later police were called.

Police did not attend the home for four weeks, the court heard, but later removed the dog from the home.

He has been in kennels since April.

The court heard that it was an “isolated incident” and one that Donnelly “is not taking lightly.”

Magistrates were told that Donnelly “accepts responsibility” for the incident, and has shown remorse but had “done everything right” to attempt to avoid it.

The court heard from the defence that dog owners “have a higher responsibility than ever before” to ensure dogs are safe.

Magistrates fined Donnelly £200 and ordered her to pay £300 in compensation.

Magistrates ruled that Zeus “does not constitute a danger to public safety” as the court was “satisfied this is an isolated incident”.

Magistrates said Donnelly is “a fit and proper person who has acted to put steps in place in relation to the dog’s behaviour” and had “given warnings.”

Donnelly must also pay total costs of £2,085 and an £80 surcharge.