A CHARACTER reference from a postman helped save two dogs from being put down. The dogs, belonging to retired fireman Timothy Roberts, had escaped, pushed over a woman and attacked her dog, magistrates at Huntingdon heard yesterday (Thursday). Roberts, of

A CHARACTER reference from a postman helped save two dogs from being put down.

The dogs, belonging to retired fireman Timothy Roberts, had escaped, pushed over a woman and attacked her dog, magistrates at Huntingdon heard yesterday (Thursday).

Roberts, of Hatchet Lane, Stonely, admitted two counts of having a dog dangerously out of control in a public place on April 6.

Magistrates told the 49-year-old that while they were not ordering the dogs be destroyed, if they get out on their own again they would be put down.

Laura Mardell, prosecuting, told the court how the Rottweiler and English Bull Terrier belonging to Roberts had been running loose at around 3.25pm.

Miss Mardell told the court how Chloe Small, a neighbour of Roberts, had seen the dogs running towards her near her home as she walked her Labrador, Dylan.

"The victim saw Jed (the Rottweiler) running across the fields, growling, bearing his teeth and frothing at the mouth. He came up to her and put his paws on her shoulders, causing her to fall backwards," Miss Mardell said.

The prosecutor added that after the victim had been knocked down, the dogs turned their attention to Dylan and began biting and pawing at him, causing him to bleed.

Eventually, the victim's father came out to pull the dogs away from the Labrador, aiming a kick at Ruby (the Bull Terrier) in the process, Miss Mardell said.

Representing Roberts, solicitor Elaine Havord said the dogs had managed to escape from his property through a specially-designed 'Freedom Fence' designed to keep them in.

The fence works by administering a small electric shock to the dogs via special collars, the solicitor told the court.

Mrs Havord added: "Since the incident Mr Roberts has had the fence improved so that an alarm will trigger in his house if the fence is damaged. He has done everything he can to make sure the dogs are in a safe environment.

"He is not an irresponsible dog owner and had the dogs attacked a child he would be the first to insist that they be put down, but that was not the case."

The solicitor said that Roberts' postman and other visitors to the house had supplied character references for the dogs.

Imposing a fine of £2,500, costs of £35 and a £15 victim surcharge, magistrates told Roberts: "This was a nasty incident in a public area."

The company director was warned that his dogs must not be allowed out of the house unless accompanied by him and must be kept on a lead at all times. Magistrates also ordered that the Rottweiler, Jed, be neutered.