A MAN walking his dog along a lane was attacked by a lurcher dog which jumped over a five-barred gate still attached to a chain.

Magistrates heard the dog bit the man on the arm and then the lower back causing him to scream out in pain.

But the magistrates declined to order the destruction of the dog after hearing it had never shown any aggression before.

Elaine Westhead, 60, of Oswaldtwistle, pleaded guilty to being in charge of a dog which was dangerously out of control.

She was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay £500 compensation.