A dog sentenced to death for biting a pensioner in Carlisle has won a reprieve.

Buster, a rough-coated rescue lurcher, faced destruction following an incident outside a city supermarket in April, 2015.

Tied-up Buster lunged at Jean Holmes's left leg, biting her calf. She suffered puncture wounds, was left bleeding and needed hospital treatment.

David Stephenson, 47, admitted owning a dangerously out-of-control dog which caused injury.

At a magistrates' court hearing, a district judge ruled the dog should be destroyed.

But Mr Stephenson lodged an appeal which was heard at Carlisle Crown Court today.

The court heard Buster, aged around 13, had never bitten before that day, or since.

Mr Stephenson immediately bought a muzzle for his animal and a dog behaviour expert had concluded Buster posed "no more danger to public safety than the average pet".

Judge Barbara Forrester concluded the incident had been a "one-off" and removed the destruction direction.

In its place, a contingent destruction order was made. This imposes strict conditions to ensure Mr Stephenson, of Adelphi Terrace, Carlisle, keeps Buster under proper control.