A Bradford pensioner has been found guilty of owning a dog which was dangerously out of control.

Catherine Hull, 70, who was barred from entering the Co-op in High Street, Queensbury, became aggressive outside the store on November 27 last year, Bradford magistrates were told yesterday.

The Court heard Hull, of Briggs Street, Queensbury, began shouting at staff as she waited in the car park with her dog after asking another customer to buy her shopping.

Store supervisor Lindsey Green told the court: “She was standing outside the main door with her unmuzzled dog, shouting abuse at customers and staff.

“She wasn’t happy because the lady that was doing her shopping was taking too long. The more she shouts the more the dog gets wound up.”

The dog at one stage bit the bag of a passing customer.

Hull was ordered in 2005 to keep her dog muzzled in public places by Skipton magistrates, but CCTV footage shown to the court showed the dog had not been wearing a muzzle.

“The dog bounces up and down, it barks, it snarls, it lunges, but she can’t control it because it pulls her,” said Miss Green.

Hull told the court: “He’s a very gentle, loving dog, people pat him and he is content.

“The only time he gets excited is if he thinks somebody is shouting at me.”

A public order charge against Hull was dismissed after Sean Gurney, the man whose bag was bitten by the dog, told the court no abusive language or threatening behaviour had been aimed at him.

He had been named as a witness along with two members of Co-op staff.

District Judge Susan Bouch told Hull: “You accept the dog was pulling you. I’m satisfied, despite the fact it was on a lead, the dog was dangerously out of control.”

Hull will be sentenced at Bradford Magistrates’ Court on May 28.