THE owners of a dog savaged by two Rottweilers say they and their pet have been left traumatised by the attack.

Craig and Lilian Leatham, owners of Sally, a 12-year-old Springer Spaniel, said they thought at one stage that their much loved pet would not recover.

Mr Leatham said: "I thought Sally wouldn't pull through, but she has now made a physical recovery from her appalling injuries.

"She was in a lot of pain and had a hole in her back the size of my palm and many stitches.

"But although she has recovered, she is now very nervous."

Sharman Gibson, of Bottom o'th' Moor, Horwich, admitted this week five charges of failing to control the Rottweilers in a public place on January 12 this year.

The two dogs escaped from Gibson's home and went on a 60-minute rampage.

Rottweilers Radar and Shakira attacked three people and injured two dogs during a 60-minute spree.

Officers from Bolton Council brought the prosecution following the attacks.

Bolton magistrates ordered that the Rottweilers should be found new homes and should always be made to wear a muzzle and be kept on a lead when out in public.

Gibson was banned from keeping dogs for five years. She was sentenced to 150 hours community punishment and ordered to pay a total of £4,815 -- £780 in court costs, kennel costs of £3,100, a £585 vet's bill for the injured springer spaniel and £350 in compensation.

One of the victims of the Rottweiler attack welcomed the court's decision to ban Gibson from looking after dogs.

Sheila Boocock had vowed to sell her house and move away from the area if magistrates had allowed Gibson to keep the dogs.

Mrs Boocock received a puncture wound to her knee when she confronted the dogs as they attacked her pet poodle Shandy, throwing it into the air like a rag doll.

She said: "I wouldn't have had my grandchildren coming here with those dogs around."

The Rottweilers have been kept in kennels by Bolton Council since January.

Today, a dog expert said the successful prosecution had sent out "a very positive message to irresponsible dog owners."

Dog Control Officer Jenny Taylor said: "This was an extremely serious incident where people were injured and frightened while they were going about their daily business."