After a dog attacked her, Kandy Valent stole a bottle of vodka to numb the pain, the court heard.
Valent pleaded guilty before the Whanganui District Court on Tuesday for a charge of shoplifting and driving with excess breath alcohol.
Police prosecutor Steven Butler told the court Valent entered a liquor store at 4pm on July 11.
She placed a bottle of vodka valued at $35 inside her handbag and left without paying.
The staff ran outside to confront her at which point Valent drove away.
Valent later told police she did not remember being confronted by the staff.