Wahgunyah mother Maxine Smith wants a County Court judge to save her dog Diesel, who bit Margaret Phemister, 78, on the backside and was involved in a series of other confrontations from August last year to Easter.

On Tuesday, Wodonga magistrate John Murphy ordered the destruction of Diesel and another dog Angel, a female bull mastiff-great dane-bull cross, saying “you would be risking someone’s life” if they were freed from a pound where they have been held since Easter.

Smith became teary and dabbed at her eyes with tissues when Mr Murphy made his decision.

On the other hand, Mrs Phemister was shocked when The Border Mail informed her Smith had lodged an appeal to save Diesel.

“I could feel my heart sink down to my boots when you told me — it’s not funny,” Mrs Phemister said.

“I feel like taking out the photo of my backside and showing her what it did to me.

“I can’t understand some people. Why on earth would you want a dog that’s been menacing people for 12 months and that’s before it bit me.”

Mrs Phemister, who was left with wounds to her backside and thigh and had hospital treatment at Corowa, said she continued to suffer some mental scars from the mauling.

“I’ve still got a sore leg where the bite is on my leg, my backside is just about right, but it’s just my nerves,” Mrs Phemister said.

“It’s made me more nervy around dogs.

“If I see a dog that’s not on the lead I go the other way or turn around and go back.

“I make sure I keep away from them.

“Even if a dog is behind a fence and starts barking it sets my heart racing.”

Fay Begelhole, who had Diesel tear into her pants without breaking her skin, was upset at the appeal, saying “put them down”.

Her husband Fred Begelhole believes the appeal is irresponsible.

“I’ve had dogs for years and years, I used to have hunting dogs equivalent to what they’ve got, I had stag cross mastiffs,” Mr Begelhole said.

“We had to keep them in a double cross cage and we couldn’t get near them.”