A dog owner whose pet bit a chunk out of a pointer told its owner: "Dogs will do that sort of thing," a court was told.

Andrew Burns, of Twyford Road, Brighton, was ordered to keep his dog Charlie, a collie/Jack Russell cross, under proper control and on a lead in public by Brighton magistrates yesterday.

The court heard Natasha Housley and her friend, Graham Collins, of Brighton, were walking their five dogs in Stanmer Park when they passed Mr Burns, who had two dogs.

Charlie, an 11-year-old, who was off the lead, bit Ms Housley's pointer, Dexter, taking a chunk out of his side. He needed six stitches.

Ms Housley said Mr Burns refused to take responsibility for Charlie's actions, saying: "Dogs will do that sort of thing."

She said she repeatedly confronted him for his name and address because she wanted him to pay the vet's bill.

She told the court there was no reason for the attack last October, saying: "Dexter has recovered but he is very nervous of other dogs."

Mr Burns told the court he had not seen Charlie bite Dexter and he was not convinced his pet was to blame.

He had denied allowing a dangerous dog to be out of control but magistrates ruled against him.

He said: "Charlie has never been in any trouble."

Mr Burns said there were other dogs around which could have bitten Dexter, including Ms Housley's own dogs.

Mr Burns was ordered to keep his dog under control and pay vet's bills of £112 plus £742 to Brighton and Hove City Council to cover the costs of investigating the case and bringing it to court.

He successfully appealed to the magistrates not to order his dog to be muzzled because it could have a traumatic effect.