Glen Innes Local Court heard that Peta Perrin, an environment teacher at the school, got into a dispute with children at Moree when she lived there before moving to Glen Innes.

She told the court that the children would harass her and let her two dogs out. She got into a dispute with pupils from a school for difficult children.

One of her animals bit back. The court heard that several children were bitten on the leg.

The court heard that she had been told about the dangerous dog by the council but hadnt taken precautions to protect the public from it. Six penalty notices were taken out which she hadnt complied with.

Ms Perrin told the court that she had two dogs, Eli, aged three, and Flo, aged five. Eli was the one which attacked the children. The council ranger became involved and the dog was declared dangerous.

Mr Perrin told the court the dogs werent dangerous and they were school therapy dogs.

Eli is a beautiful dog. Theres no way he would attack anyone. They were provoked, she said.

Ive been a dog lover all my life.

The students were targeting her, she said, and would get the dogs into a frenzy.

She told the court she had been attacked by students.

Ms Perrin was fined for six offences. including not having the dangerous dog under control and failing to prevent it escaping to public areas.

Magistrate Michael Holmes said he had worked in Moree and knew the area well.

I understand how Moree operates, he said.

Ms Perrin said my dogs will be no trouble in the future. They will be well behaved dogs.

Mr Holmes said: Its not a clear cut matter. You are very well regarded.

He said there were mitigating factors but there are significant penalties in this matter.

Ive reduced the fines dramatically but you are still going to have to pay it, he told her.

Just keep the dogs under control.