"But on Saturday evening he suddenly turned on her.
"He bit her on the side of the face, and she needed plastic surgery.
"One of her tear ducts needs replacing.
"I think he became jealous when I picked Jade up."
Jade, of Henley Avenue, Pelton Fell, Chester-le-Street, spent Saturday night in the University Hospital of North Durham, but was recovering at home yesterday.
Hooch has been returned to its previous owners.
Ms Wardle said: "My neighbour telephoned the police and the RSPCA on Saturday night asking them to remove the dog.
"There is no way Jade could have gone back to the house with him there. Nobody was prepared to come out.
"I didn't want him immediately put down, but somebody could have come out to put him in a kennel.
"Fortunately, the previous owners picked him up before Jade came home from hospital."
