A 44-year-old Shropshire woman today denied allowing her dog to be dangerously out of control and attack a five-year-old child at a county beauty spot.

Annette Patrisha Ambrose, of Sheinton Road, Cressage, near Shrewsbury, appeared at the town’s magistrates court to deny the offence.

The offence is alleged to have taken place on October 27, 2008 at National Trust property Attingham Park.

Ambrose is the owner of a Rottweiler called Roxy, which was allegedly dangerously out of control in a public place and attacked a child leaving him with injuries requiring three stitches for bite marks to the mouth.

The court heard the child, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had a 1cm scar as a result of the alleged incident.

Miss Louise Taylor, defending, said it was disputed the dog was dangerously out of control and said it was not accepted that the animal had injured the child.

Miss Taylor told the court Ambrose accepted the dog did belong to her and she was at the park on the day of the incident.

Ambrose elected for a trial at the magistrates court.

Magistrates adjourned the case for four weeks for a pre-trial review on April 14 at Shrewsbury Magistrates Court. Ambrose was granted unconditional bail.

After the alleged incident, Attingham Park put a temporary ban on dogs being left tied up and unattended at the stately home.

The rule is due to be lifted but a new policy will be introduced with only be certain locations where dogs will be able to be left tied up and unattended.

Bosses have said several areas had been identified. Specialist points to allow dogs to be tethered have also been ordered.