A WIRRAL woman could face two years in prison unless she keeps her pet dog under control.

Carol Ambage of Windmill Gardens, Beechwood, was issued with an Asbo andtold that unless she controls the animal, she'll face prison.

Ms Ambage, who lives in a three-storey block of sheltered/supported housing flats managed by landlord Beechwood and Ballantyne Community Housing Association, was reported for keeping a dog that was alleged to be aggressive to tenants and allowed to roam freely in communal areas.

An allegation was also made that she had been verbally abusive to another tenant who had been subjected to aggressive behaviour from the dog.

Ms Ambage was issued with several warnings regarding the dog by her landlord and, in July of 2008, agreed an "action plan" to keep the dog under her control when outside her flat.

Despite these promises, the dog was alleged to still be allowed to roam freely and behave "in an aggressive manner."

On July 8 of this year, a further incident is alleged to have occurred where the dog, which was roaming freely in the communal garden area, was aggressive towards a housing support officer who was visiting a tenant.

The dog was also alleged to have attempted to bite its owner, who was trying to regain control of it. The case was immediately referred to Wirral Anti-Social Behaviour Team and an application for an Asbo injunction was made against her.

At Birkenhead County Court, on July 31, Ms Ambage, who wished to contest the matter, was issued with an interim Asbo pending a full hearing.

At the court on Tuesday, Ms Ambage gave an undertaking to keep the dog indoors unless she accompanies it and retains control of it by using a "non-extendable lead no more than 1.5 metres in length."

If this undertaking is breached, she faces up to two years' imprisonment. The order remains in force until September, 2011.

Andy Hall, chief executive of Beechwood & Ballantyne Community Housing Association, said: "This action was entirely necessary to prevent a further attack by Ms Ambage's dog.

"Our overriding fear was that an adult or, even worse, a child could be injured through Ms Ambage's lack of control of her animal. Our actions whilst absolutely appropriate have also, in the circumstances, been compassionate towards our tenant.”

Caroline Laing, manager of Wirral Anti-Social Behaviour Team, added: "It is imperative that residents can peacefully enjoy their homes and neighbourhood and this action was a necessity to ensure that.”