A DOG which attacked a teenage girl has been spared death after a court was told how it had been rescued and nursed back to health.

Blackburn magistrates heard the 17-year-old girl suffered a puncture wound in the brief attack by a Staffordshire bull terrier cross, which was described as a one-off incident.

And the magistrates opted not to make a destruction order against the dog.

Angela Barton, 42, of Holmbrook Close, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to keeping a dog dangerously out of control. She was fined £50 and ordered to pay £75 compensation to the girl and £50 costs.

Neil White, prosecuting, said the girl was walking along Holmbrook Close at about 10.30pm when an Alsatian dog ran past her.

"It was followed by a black Staffordshire bull terrier which ran around her before biting the back of her left leg," said Mr White.

He said the prosecution asked for an order of control but not destruction.

"It seems to be a one off incident and we accept it was chasing the other dog," said Mr White.

Andrew Church-Taylor, defending, said his client owned both dogs and had taken them onto nearby fields for some exercise. She had left them off the leads on the way home because she did not think there would be anyone else around.

"The Staffordshire cross has never done anything like this before," said Mr Church-Taylor. "She took it in after it had the side of its face kicked in and she describes it as having a nervous disposition.

"When the dogs ran past her the girl screamed. The dog was as startled as she was."