A DISTRICT court judge told a dog owner that he must be vigilant at all times after hearing that his dog jumped up on a woman who was out walking her own dog in Macroom.

Joe Creedon (68) of 15 New Street, Macroom pleaded guilty at Macroom District Court to not having proper control of his dog.

Sgt Trish O’Sullivan told the court that at 7:30pm on March 14^th last gardaí in Macroom received a report from a woman who said she had been out walking her dog when an Alsation-type dog ran towards her.

‘It was off-lead, didn’t have a muzzle and there was no owner nearby. The woman picked up her small dog while the dog jumped up on her and grabbed her elbow,’ said Sgt O’Sullivan.

‘She began to shout and someone came to her help. They then heard someone calling out for the dog.’

The court heard that the dog was a Belgian Shepherd and wasn’t a restricted breed.

Defence solicitor Jack Purcell said his client, who has no previous convictions, is a retired school principal and was in a field with his dog when he ran towards the woman.

‘He accepts this was very frightening for the woman when his dog approached her and jumped up on her.  He apologises for what happened. He left the dog off lead in the field as he didn’t think anyone was about and it’s something he has done before,’ said Mr Purcell.