A DOG has been spared being destroyed — because of its ‘previous good character’.

Tyson, a 13-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier, broke a man’s finger and injured another dog in Bolton last year.

His owner, Roy Rimmer, aged 42, of Makinson Avenue, Horwich has been given 70 hours unpaid work by Bolton Magistrates’ Court.

He appeared in court yesterday, having already pleaded guilty to being the owner of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury. Carl Gaffney, prosecuting, told the court that on Friday, November 4, last year, at around 11.20pm, Paul Thomasson was in Craven Court, Craven Street East in Horwich with his ‘pug type dog’ Milo.

Mr Gaffney said: “Mr Thomasson heard a noise behind him and became acutely aware of two dogs, Tyson and Tyler, running towards him.”

The court heard how Mr Thomasson picked up Milo after realising the dogs were ‘making a beeline for his dog and not him’.

Mr Gaffney said: “Just as he finished picking his dog up, it snarls, growls and bit Mr Thomasson on his hand and Milo on his hind leg.”

Both Milo and Mr Thomasson required stitches and Mr Thomasson’s little finger was broken. Milo’s vet bills totalled £306.19.

The court heard Mr Thomasson told police after the incident he thought Mr Rimmer was drunk and neither dog was on a lead.

Rimmer accepted this account of events but disputed he was drunk.

Glen Wrigley, defending, said Rimmer was walking his two dogs and let them off their leads and one of the dogs, Tyson, the eldest, ran off.

He said Rimmer did get Tyson back but fell down a sloped bank, losing the leads.

After regaining hold of his dogs, they both slipped their collars running off again.

Mr Wrigley, said: “He does manage to regain control of these [dogs] and he’s taking them home.

“Unfortunately, the incident takes place. He couldn’t have predicted what would have happened. In terms of the situation, he’s trying to control two dogs, the incident takes place, Tyson runs for the pug type dog and latches on and the owner tries to intervene and is hurt.”

Mr Wrigley told the court Rimmer was ‘shocked’ at the time and did not just leave the scene, he apologised and left his details.

Based on a report submitted by expert witness, dog behavioural expert Melanie Rushmore, Magistrates decided not to destroy the dog.

Instead, District Judge Franklin Baker, decided on a contingent destruction order because of the dog’s ‘previous good character’.

In future, Tyson must be walked on a lead and with a muzzle.

Rimmer was also ordered to pay costs amounting to £776, which includes Milo’s vet bills.