A DOG'S life has been spared after biting a woman and her cocker spaniel, leaving them both with injuries.

Bolton magistrates ruled against Chico, the American French bulldog, being put down despite an unprovoked attack on a walker, Emma Hanley, and her pet pooch Bell in Radcliffe.

However, magistrates imposed a contingent destruction order (CDO) and several conditions to prevent any future incidents and to ensure the public's safety, namely that the dog must wear a lead in public, be fitted with a muzzle, be castrated and microchipped.

Jake Shaw, aged 24, pleaded guilty to being the owner in charge of a dog that was dangerously out of control, causing injury.

Shaw, of Whitehead Crescent, Radcliffe, was ordered to undertake 100 hours of unpaid work over the next 12 months, as well as being fined a total of £685.

The incident occurred in Vale Avenue, Radcliffe, at about 3.30pm on April 29 this year.

Beth Pilling, prosecuting, said: "The complainant, Emma Hanley, was walking in the area and noticed a dog without an owner running towards her.

"She picked her nine-month-old dog Bell up, at which point Chico jumps up and tries to bite.

"He bites the leg of her dog. She prizes the dog's mouth open. Chico jumps up, scratching the complainant's inner thighs, catching her wrist and thumb.

"A neighbour arrived and removed the dog. She refers to the bleeding thumb.

"The dog's owner was not clear how the dog had got out."

The police were called to the scene and seized the dog but Chico was later returned to his owner, where he has remained since the incident.

The defendant produced papers showing that Chico was castrated one week ago.

Chairman of the bench Jeffrey Armstrong said: “It appears that you are taking responsibility.

“We are imposing a CDO with conditions which will prevent the dog from being able to bite another person.”