A DISABLED woman who was attacked by an out of control dog in Hampshire feared she was going to be “mauled to death”.

Claudia Batchelor was dragged to the ground by a French bull mastiff last August, before it turned on her much smaller dog Barney.

Her partner Grahame Boyt then intervened to pull the dog, named Lola, off of Claudia, who told Southampton Magistrates Court she is still haunted by the incident.

But owner of Lola, self-employed Andrew Howells, who pleaded guilty for being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control, was spared jail when sentenced at the court.

Instead district judge Lorraine Morgan handed out a 12-month community order, which requires Howells, 50, of Holbury Drive, to complete 120 hours’ unpaid work. He must pay £500 compensation, £200 costs and a victim surcharge of £85.

The court heard the incident happened after Ms Batchelor, who walks with a crutch and is registered disabled, had taken her pet on a walk with Mr Boyt.

However, prosecutor Natalie Angel said while walking back to their car on August 13, Lola, who was not on a lead, pounced on Ms Batchelor who sustained significant injuries to her fingers and bruises on both her arms.

It was also heard she still suffers from nerve damage because of the bites.

“I thought I was going to be mauled to death; I have nightmares about it almost every night,” said Ms Batchelor.

“I think about the dog pinning me to the ground and on being on top of me, snarling at me and bearing its teeth just inches away from my face.

“I believe had it not been for my partner holding the dog back, I would not be here today.”

The court also heard, following the attack, it was discovered the dog was suffering from a painful condition which resulted in her being put down in January.

In mitigation, Andy Wheldon said Howells was a responsible dog owner who accepted in hindsight the dog should been on a lead.

The court heard he was deeply shocked by what happened.