Country star Tucker sued over dog

Tanya Tucker's career began in the early 1970s

Country and western singer Tanya Tucker has been sued by her manicurist for $300,000 (£150,000) over claims the star's dog attacked and injured her.

Danielle Hobbs stated in court papers that she was bitten by Bella at the singer's Nashville home.

Ms Hobbs added that Tucker's other dogs growled at her on previous visits, but the star's assistant brushed aside her requests for them to be restrained.

Tucker's publicist Kirt Webster said the claims were "without merit".

He added that the legal action had come as "a total surprise".

Chart-topper

Ms Hobbs also claimed that the alleged attack, on 2 May, had left her with painful and disfiguring scars on her leg.

She said in her submission to the court that Bella ran from a bedroom, jumped on her and began biting her without any warning.

She stated that Tucker's assistant told her the dogs were "just babies" and said "they will not hurt you".

The 48-year-old singer is best known for her debut hit Delta Dawn, which she released when she was 13.

She has topped the US country music charts 10 times and was named female vocalist of the year by the Country Music Association in 1991.

Tucker also starred in her own fly-on-the-wall TV show, Tuckerville, in 2005.