A DOG owner has been ordered to keep his Rottweiler muzzled after it attacked three people in a park.

A DOG owner has been ordered to keep his Rottweiler muzzled after it attacked three people in a park.

David Angell, of Burrell Road, Ipswich pleaded guilty to three charges of not keeping the dog under proper control at South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court on Tuesday .

The court heard how, on May 1 this year, the 69-year-old's Rottweiler, Brandy, leapt on a woman while she was walking her own dog in Gippeswyk Park.

A week later the 15st dog was again off its lead and involved in a similar incident with a couple who were erecting a tent in the park. Again the dog jumped up at a woman, causing bruising to her arm and legs.

In a third separate incident, a park supervisor was bitten on the arm.

Lesla Small, prosecuting, described the circumstances surrounding the event.

She said: “The park supervisor was aware of complaints regarding the dog. He encountered Mr Angell and bent down to pat the dog but within seconds it jumped up and clamped its jaw around his arm.

“The supervisor had to knee the dog to get it off him.”

When asked if he had anything to say about the incidents, Angell said: “Since then I have bought a really thick choke chain and I keep the dog on it all the time.

“He is now very docile and friendly but his problem is that he's so big he intimidates people.

“I was and still am ever so sorry. I have apologised profusely and I can't do any more.”

Angell was told to muzzle the dog and keep it on a lead when in a public area. He was also ordered to pay £100 compensation and a fee of £46 in prosecution costs.