A DANGEROUS dog has been saved from death by the woman it attacked.

Barbara Anderson told Darlington Magistrates Court that she did not want the dog, named Lady, to be destroyed, despite the extensive injuries she received after it bit her.

The dog's owner, Simon Saunders, of Whitby Way, Darlington, appeared in court yesterday charged with two offences under the Dangerous Dog Act 1991.

He admitted owning Lady, a dangerous dog that had injured Barbara Anderson, and guilty to owning Kissy, an out- of-control dog.

The court heard that Mrs Anderson had been walking with her husband and her dog, Jessie, in woodland close to her home.

The couple spotted two German shepherd dogs which they recognised as their neighbour's dogs, approaching them with no owner in sight.

The dogs were aggressive, and as Mrs Anderson knelt down to pick up her dog, Lady bit Jessie on the leg.

Prosecuting Paul Hunter said: "It also sank its teeth into the dog's stomach. The dog was in pain and very distressed.

"As Mrs Anderson bent down Lady let go of the dog and turned its aggression towards her, and she felt a sharp pain to her mouth.

"She was very scared. She felt a lot of pain to both her hands and face and her husband resorted to punching the dog to stop it biting her. They described the dog as being in a frenzy and they shouted for help."

Mrs Anderson was taken to hospital and also had dental treatment for a loose tooth. Jessie received treatment at the vets for her injuries.

Graham Hunsley, defending, said Saunders, a father of two, had been taking his dogs for a walk when he was stopped by a neighbour and the dogs ran off.

He said: "It was very much an accident that the dogs were out of his control.

"He regrets the incident involving the two dogs that are normally controlled and there have been no incidents since."

Magistrates ordered Saunders to pay the veterinary fees of £195, plus £150 compensation and £55 costs.

He was given two conditional discharges for six months.