A SCHOOLGIRL pleaded with a judge to spare the life of a dog which attacked her, causing injuries which needed treatment in hospital.

Eleven-year-old Samantha Floyd still bears the scars from the day she was mauled by seven-year-old alsatian Jet - but said she could not bear the idea of the dog being destroyed.

Instead, she volunteered to take the witness stand in court to plead for his life.

Judge Peter Armstrong described her as a "remarkable young lady" after hearing her brief testimony at Teesside Crown Court.

Moved by Samantha's compassion, he agreed to lift a death sentence imposed on Jet by magistrates at an earlier hearing.

Jet's owner, Les Harrison, 62, had appealed against the destruction order, imposed when he admitted allowing Jet to be out of control.

The dog bit Samantha's ear and face in the attack at Grangetown, Teesside, two years ago.

Recalling the incident, she said: "I remember going around the corner and seeing Jet.

"At first his eyes were shut, then he bit me. I think I must have scared him.

"I wasn't too bothered, it's only a scar. I just didn't want him put down because I love animals.

"He's a nice dog and I frightened him when I went around the corner too quickly, so it was not really his fault.

"So I went to see the judge and asked him to give Jet another chance, and I'm glad that he did."

The judge, siting with magistrates, quashed the original order for destruction.

It was suspended as long as certain conditions are met, including restricting the dog to Mr Harrison's back garden, unless it is on the lead or muzzled.

Mr Harrison said: "They've imposed conditions which I think is right. I couldn't go through that again - it was one of my worst nightmares."