A DANGEROUS dog which ran out of a Chester home and bit a nine-year-old boy on the leg has been spared by magistrates.

The bench at Chester Magistrates Court on Friday, February 12 ruled that owner Laura Richardson, 44, of Essex Road, could keep the dog, subject to a contingency destruction order.

However, if the requirements of that order were not kept, the dog would be destroyed.

Prosecuting, Alan Currums said it was at 6.50pm on November 2, 2020 when the nine-year-old boy was with his father, coming home from football in a car, parking on Essex Road.

The boy got out of the car while the father went to park the car in a residential parking spot, and it was then the dog ran out of Richardson's home, through an unsecured open gate and towards the boy.

The son was frightened and ran away, but the dog, described as medium sized and white with black blotches, caught up and bit the boy on his left thigh.

The father took the son to hospital for treatment on the wound, which was not as bad as first feared and required dressing.

The boy's father spoke to Richardson, who was apologetic and said she would give up the dog.

However, the father made a complaint when, several days later, it was clear the dog was still at the property.

The court heard the gate was still insecure and the dog had been known on previous occasions to escape outside the house.

Richardson had no similar previous convictions, with nothing on her record since 2005.

She had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity to the dangerous dog offence.

Defending, Becky Hay said the defendant took responsibility for what had happened and wished to make the required measures to secure the dog and prevent any repeat incidents.

That would mean keeping the dog on a lead and muzzled when out in public, and Richardson had made enquiries to get the gate fixed or replaced, but due to Covid difficulties work had yet to be carried out.

In the meantime, she had also secured her door with a lock chain and placed a security gate over the front door, so if the door was opened the dog could not get out.

Richardson was a carer for her ex-partner, who had a number of health issues including cancer and was regularly attending hospital.

Magistrates agreed the contingency destruction order should be made.

Chair of magistrates Jean Banford told Richardson: "This gate has got to be fixed or replaced within 10 days. Police will visit on day 11 and if they discover the gate is not replaced or fixed, the dog will be destroyed."

The dog must be kept on a lead and muzzled in public, and controlled by a person aged at least 16.

Richardson was placed on a 12-month community order to include 10 days of a rehabilitation activity requirement, plus a three-week 7pm-7am curfew.

She must also pay £150 compensation to the boy's father.