A DOG has been ordered to be destroyed for attacking a 10-year-old girl and leaving her with permanent scars.

The Staffordshire bull terrier known as Brax was punished for an attack that was more than three years ago in Alexandria.

Andrew Brown, previously of Tontine Park, Renton, and now of Cumbrae Crescent, Dumbarton, was convicted at trial of being in charge of a dog that was dangerous and out of control.

On August 7, 2020, in Back Street, Alexandria, the dog jumped on a girl aged 10 and repeatedly bit her on the body to her injury and permanent disfigurement.

At Dumbarton Sheriff Court on October 10, Brown, now aged 45, returned for sentencing.

Sheriff William Gallacher said his focus was on the "inevitable" and that Brown was "not in a position to care for the dog" and it had no identified owner.

Planning on banning him from owning animals, he said it might not prevent him from having pets someday.

"But not now," he added.

Defence solicitor Mark Chambers said: "He is very much a changed man.

"He remains abstinent from alcohol.

"Things are progressing and continuing to progress positively as far as he is concerned."

Sheriff Gallacher said Brown's appearance was "hugely different" from his last court hearing.

But he said a jury found that the man had a legal responsibility for the dog.

He added that it was "unfortunate" the case had been delayed as much as it was, and said: "He has brought upon himself a lot of other things.

"It does not devalue the impact on the victim in the charge and on her family. I cannot restore that through any sanction to you.

"You can potentially do something positive with your life to the benefit of you and everyone else."

The sheriff imposed a community payback order with supervision by social workers for two years.

In that time, Brown must comply with any treatment or residential care they advise.

He is banned from owning or keeping any animal for two years. And the dog was ordered destroyed.