The owner of a popular Maidstone restaurant has been told she can keep her dogs after a woman was bitten by one of the animals.

Karen Williams, who runs The Mulberry Tree in Boughton Monchelsea, appeared at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday after Yvonne Horton was bitten in the back garden of the establishment.

The 48-year-old was charge under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, accused of allowing four dogs to be out of control during the incident in July at the Hermitage Lane eatery. They are a jack russell cross, lurcher cross, labrador collie cross and a Belgian shepherd.

The court heard the victim had entered the garden through a waist-high fence which clearly displayed a private sign.

Mrs Williams did not enter a plea at the hearing and has since raised the fence and gate at the entrance to the garden and installed more signs clearly stating the area is private and the dogs could be dangerous.

Magistrates imposed an order stating that Mrs Williams must maintain these measures.

She was told it was an ‘ongoing requirement’ to keep the gate locked and keep signs in place warning people not to go into the property.

After the hearing Mrs Williams said: “Other dog owners should be aware that anyone could experience the same situation under the new dog act passed this year, regardless of where their animals are.

“My dogs are not dangerous, they are all family pets.

She added: “I have had Yale locks fitted to all of the garden gates and further signage put up.”

No details were given in court about the severity of the bite or which dog caused the wound.