Two of the children - aged eight and four - were at their home in Barham Road, Costessey, with their mother Victoria Hewitt and an 11-year-old friend when a knock at the door resulted in the pet dog Karma behaving in a "very aggressive and violent way".

Karma (Image: Facebook) Norwich Crown Court heard during the incident Karma, who had never acted aggressively previously, first "went" for the eight-year-old girl.

Hewitt, 42, then jumped on the dog to try to prize it off her daughter. Norwich Crown Court (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest) Chris Youell, prosecuting, said Hewitt reached for some ham from the fridge to try and coax the animal off her daughter but it did not work.

He said Karma was "dragging" the girl and "biting" her with the other two girls "screaming" on the sofa.

Mr Youell said Karma then........

© Norwich Evening News