A woman has denied being in charge of a dangerous dog.

Asiya Sitaeva, 61, of Terrace Row, Broad Street, Brighton, is also accused of allowing a dog to be unmuzzled and not on a lead in a public place.

Russian Sitaeva, who owns a bull mastiff, is alleged to have allowed the dog to run from her property into the street on December 10.

Prosecutor Len Batten said Gary Murphy, who was walking his dog down Broad Street, at about 1.30pm on December 10, allegedly received puncture wounds which required hospital treatment after being bitten by the dog.

He told Brighton magistrates yesterday that Mr Murphy had been trying to prize the dog's jaw open after it allegedly grabbed his dog Benny and shook it around like a rag doll.

He claims Benny suffered serious injuries including several lost teeth and a broken jaw.

The case was adjourned until 2pm on January 12.