A MAN has been ordered to carry out unpaid work for failing to control a dog which was dangerously out of control.

Ray Lepage, 33, of Copland Road, Stanford-le-Hope, appeared at Basildon Magistrates Court yesterday and admitted the charge.

The court heard Vinny, an English bull terrier who belonged to Lepage’s girlfriend, charged into the neighbour’s garden through a fence that had been knocked down because of the strong wind.

Vinny then attacked the neighbour’s dog and mauled it to death.

The neighbour’s child, believed to be aged 14 to 16, tried to prevent the attack but was bitten.

The magistrate, Mr Richard Albon, said the death of Lepage’s neighbours’ dog had left a big impact on the family - and blamed it on his “failure to prevent the dog from escaping.”

After deliberating on a sentence, Mr Albon told the court: “It took a long time to consider this matter because it’s emotional and difficult and we want to get it right.”

Lepage was sentenced to do community work and was handed a 12 month probation supervision order for failure to control his dog, which was dangerously out of control.

He was ordered to pay £1,000 compensation to his neighbour.

The court also heard Vinny will be put down.