Pensioner makes final court plea to save his beloved pet

Retired mechanic and former soldier John Marley fears the worst for his three-yearold German shepherd Blue.

But he hopes when a judge today considers issuing a destruction order for the pet, after Mr Marley was twice convicted of owning a dangerous dog, he will give Blue a second chance.

The 75-year-old, who acquired Blue from a dog shelter in 2007, said: “He is my constant companion, my best friend. I feel as though he is part of me.

“When he first saw me he went berserk and I liked him straight away – we just clicked. When I heard the dog would be taken off me I was very upset, I just want to save the dog. If not for me for him, to see if he can be re-homed.”

Last week, a jury at Durham Crown Court found Mr Marley guilty of being the owner of a dog dangerously out of control, following an attack on a jogger heard his home in April last year.

He admitted a similar charge in 2008 after Blue bit a woman.

Judge Christopher Prince delayed making a destruction order until today because Mr Marley said he was devastated and was considering an appeal.

Mr Marley has been told if he wants to keep a dog in future it must first be approved by the court.

He says that despite keeping dogs for 70 years, he cannot face caring for another at his age.

Mr Marley says that while inside his bungalow, in Red Houses, High Etherley, near Bishop Auckland, the dog is placid and affectionate.

He says he is obedient and has been trained to pick sweets out of his owner’s mouth, wake him up with his nose if someone is outside and never strays more than 100 yards while exercising.

But he concedes that he can be excitable and energetic.

He added: “He is protective of me and when people want to get at me, they do it through him.

“You could say he is misunderstood.

Kids have wound him up and he used to bark, but if you are nice with him he is nice to you.”

Mr Marley still protests his dog’s innocence, but says he cannot afford to fight the case.