A MAN has admitted being in charge of a vicious dog which caused a "terrible" facial injury to a young girl in Kendal.

Justin Allen, 44, pleaded guilty to one charge when he appeared at Carlisle Crown Court today.

He accepted he was in charge of a Labrador-Staffordshire bull terrier cross which caused injury to the youngster while dangerously out of control.

This follows an incident at a house in Sandylands Road on August 15.

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Allen's case was adjourned by Judge Peter Hughes QC following the guilty plea.

The judge asked for a progress report about the young victim, who was said to have suffered "extensive" injuries to her face. She needed specialist hospital treatment and underwent at least three operations.

Allen, of Moatside, Brampton, was bailed and is due to be sentenced on December 10.

The court was given some details about the shocking incident.

On the day in question, he left the animal on a lead near the front of the house.

"Unfortunately she (the victim) has asked if she could stroke the dog," said Jacob Dyer, defending. "As she did so she suffered a terrible injury."

Mr Dyer told the court that Allen had pleaded guilty to the offence on an agreed basis. The lawyer added: "He had no reason to believe the dog would behave in this way."

Judge Hughes asked whether the dog had been destroyed as a result of the attack.

Mr Dyer replied: "We were hoping so but we were told possibly not. He (Allen) was not strictly speaking the owner of the dog.

"He has been looking after it for about three years."

Judge Hughes asked for more information about this to be prepared ahead of the sentencing hearing.

He remanded Allen on bail, the condition being that he must not own or have control of a dog in the meantime.

But the judge told him: "I am not thinking of a custodial sentence."