AN OUT-OF-CONTROL banned pitbull dog which attacked a terrified teenager is to be destroyed.

But the dog’s owner will not be prosecuted, police say.

The dog attacked a 17-year-old girl as she was walking her springer spaniel in Apex Park on November 29.

The girl screamed in terror as at first it seemed the dog was unaccompanied but someone with the dog eventually arrived. The girl and her dog both needed medical treatment for bite wounds and were left badly shaken.

There had previously been widespread reports of a dark-coloured dog being aggressive in the park. Posts on internet forums and Facebook included reports of people being forced to climb play equipment to get out of the dog’s way.

A member of the public got in touch with Sedgemoor District Council’s dog wardens with the address of the suspected owner, who was then approached as part of a police investigation.

An Avon and Somerset Police spokesman said: “The dog was found to be a banned pitbull type after examination, which was corroborated by the RSPCA, and is due to be destroyed.

“The owner was located in Highbridge and co-operated with our investigation and the victim has since declined to prosecute.”