A family's beloved but escape-prone pit bull terrier has been spared from a death sentence - after its desperate owner spent nearly £2,000 to convince a judge that his pet is not dangerous.

Kizzie was dubbed Carlisle's “Houdini Hound” after she repeatedly scaled the high garden fence designed to keep her off the street.

But because she is classed as a dangerous dog, her owner Jason O'Neil, 26, was under a legal obligation to ensure that she was muzzled and on a lead whenever in public.

Kizzie's most recent great escape, from the family's garden on Carlisle's Raffles estate last July, landed her and Jason's mum Elizabeth Richardson, 52, who was looking after her, in legal hot water.

It rendered Mrs Richardson guilty of a criminal offence, and a district judge ruled that the popular pet should be put down. The death sentence triggered a huge online campaign to save Kizzie.

It was supported around the world.

Even the police officer sent to seize the dog accepted she was “soft and friendly”. Mr O'Neil was so determined to save Kizzie that he hired a legal team and paid for a report by dog behaviour expert.

At Carlisle Crown Court, the investment paid off as Judge Barbara Forrester, sitting with two magistrates, ruled that Kizzie should not be put down.

The court had heard how after clambering over the garden fence, Kizzie had sauntered into a nearby play park and then strolled home, waiting at her back door to be let back in.

Defence barrister Lorraine Mustard said Mr O'Neil had taken steps to ensure Kizzie can no longer escape, building an extended outdoor run. "They want Kizzie home: she's part of the family,” she said.

The barrister handed in the 28-page report, written by a dog behaviour expert Craig Richardson. It argued that Kizzie was indeed a friendly dog, and does not pose a risk to the public.

Overturning the destruction order, Judge Forrester said: “We have listened carefully to what has been said and we note that when Kizzie escaped from the garden there was no harm caused to anyone.

“She was not aggressive.

“She ran back to the garden waited outside her house to be let back in. However, Mrs Richardson and Mr O'Neil must both realise that this is her last chance.”

The judge made what is called a “contingent destruction order,” which will not be activated provided there is no further breach of the legislation. That means Kizzie must always when in public be muzzled and on a lead.

The judge continued: “She must not be allowed to escape from the house or garden again.” Mr O'Neil, or whoever has care of Kizzie, must ensure she does not go out without a lead or muzzle.

“Hopefully, there will be no further problem,” added the judge.

Reacting to the ruling after the case, Mr O'Neil said: “I've over the moon. I've spent nearly £2,000 on this but I don't think we should have been put through this.”

He added a thank you to all the people who had supported his battle to save Kizzie. A total of 1,970 people signed the Change.org petition to save his pet. Supporters came from across the globe, including Australia and the US.

In an earlier interview, Mr O'Neil said he had done everything he could to contain his adventure loving dog, but Kizzie's escapology skills were too good.

He said: “She's not dangerous - and everybody round here knows that. I did everything I could to keep her in the garden, but she's a clever dog. The fence is six feet high, but Kizzie jumps off things, and once she gets her paws on the top of the fence there's no stopping her.

“She's never been in a dog fight, or bitten anybody.

“The only person she barks at is the postman, and when he tells her to get away, she just turns round and trots off with her tail between her legs.”