A WOMAN has been fined and her dog spared a death sentence after the animal broke free from its lead and knocked a man over, breaking his arm.

Gillian Flatters' Staffordshire bull terrier Tigon crashed into Derek Magor while he was out walking his spaniel, in Loftus, east Cleveland.

Teesside Crown Court heard that Mr Magor, 62, who was suffering from a cancer condition that weakened his bones, had subsequently died, although this was not as a result of the arm injury.

Richard Parsell, prosecuting, said Flatters had a history of failing to look after her dogs. He said that on July 16 last year, Mr Magor was out walking with his spaniel in woods behind Flatters' home in St Hilda's Terrace, Loftus.

He saw Flatters with her two Staffordshire bull terriers when one slipped its lead and ran towards him.

Flatters shouted a warning to Mr Magor to pick up his dog but the muzzled bull terrier collided with him, hitting his arm and breaking it. It then tried to bite the spaniel.

Flatters, 39, admitted allowing a dog to be dangerously out of control in a public place.

Her barrister, Brian Russell, said she had taken precautions with the dog, but its collar was not strong enough.

Judge Peter Armstrong said he was satisfied Tigon was not a danger to public safety.

However, he said he would place a "contingent" destruction order on it, which carried with it a number of strict conditions which, if adhered to, meant it would be spared.

Flatters was fined £100 with £200 costs.