A WOMAN whose 'XL Bully type' dog bit two children after it was allowed to run loose near Cumnock has apologised.

Danielle Bevis pleaded guilty to being the owner of a dog which was "dangerously out of control" in Logan on March 13.

The 35-year-old pleaded guilty to an amended charge after the dog growled and barked at a boy and bit his clothing and leg to his injury.

We previously reported how the dog jumped up repeatedly at another dog as it was being held up by its owner. 

The dog then ran at a boy aged 10, biting his leg and clothing, before jumping up on and scratching a nine-year-old girl, biting her and pulling her, all to her injury.

Not guilty pleas to charges of being the owner of a dog restricted by legislation, allowing it to stay at Holmhead Crescent and Logan Avenue and allowing the same dog to be in a public place were accepted by prosecutors when Bevis appeared at Ayr Sheriff Court last week.

The procurator fiscal depute told Sheriff Mhairi Mactaggart that the dog was being looked after in kennels, where it had been since it was seized on March 13, and that the Crown was not seeking an order for the dog’s destruction.

The original charge alleged that the dog involved was an XL Bully, but the fiscal depute agreed for the charge to be amended to read ‘XL Bully type’ after admitting that the exact breed was “not entirely clear” and that the kennels disputed whether it was actually an XL Bully.

The court heard one child suffered 'superficial injuries' to the back of their left thigh, but that their skin was not broken.

Bevis’s solicitor said his client had been looking after five children on her own at the time of the incident.

"She accepts she was not in a position to look after the dog at the time,” he added, “and that it was outwith her control.

"She attended at her neighbours, apologised to the mother of the children, and pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.

"She fully accepts the matter would have been very distressing, and wishes to further extend her apologies."

Bevis’s solicitor said his client would be willing to pay compensation, and Sheriff Mactaggart agreed to defer sentence to allow Bevis to save up some cash.

She said: "This could have been really, really serious. 

"I'm going to give you six months to get some money together.”

Bevis’s bail was continued with a further condition attached preventing her from having a pet in the meantime. She will return to court at a later date.