A judge yesterday ordered the destruction of a Japanese Akita that broke loose and savaged two boys.

The dog twice escaped from its owner’s home in Wensleydale Road, Laisterdyke, Bradford, and bit the youngsters aged 16 and 13 in the street, a court heard. A third boy was hurt scrambling to safety over a wall.

The animal went on to bite a staff member on the hip, arm and thigh at the kennels where it was held pending the hearing.

Tazeem Akhtar, 23, pleaded guilty at Bradford Crown Court to being in charge of a dog which caused injury while dangerously out of control in a public place on September 13 and 17 last year.

Prosecutor David McGonigal said in the second attack it bit a 13-year-old boy on the forearm. The teenager fell and the dog bit his leg and his hand as he covered his face.

Akhtar’s barrister Michelle Colborne said it was a distressing case and her client was mortified. The dog belonged to her brother-in-law and she had intended to wire off the garden after the first attack.

Miss Colborne said the dog may have been taunted by youths in the area. It was a much-loved family pet and very gentle.

Judge Jonathan Rose sentenced Akhtar to six months’ imprisonment suspended for two years with 60 hours unpaid work. She must pay a total of £350 compensation to the three boys hurt.