A SPANIEL owner was attacked by a 'ferocious' pit-bull type dog as he fought to wrestle his King Charles Cavalier from the animal's jaws, a court heard.

Stephen Taylor, who ended up unconscious, suffered serious injuries to his hand, had to undergo a three hour operation, spent four days in the Royal Preston Hospital and was off work for a month after the escaped dog sank its teeth into him and refused to let go.

His pet, which he had been trying to rescue, had been savaged repeatedly and tossed into the air by the attacking dog, but survived.

The victim, who had prised open the other animal's mouth and freed the spaniel twice in the prolonged and frenzied onslaught in a Nelson Street, had feared it was dead.

Burnley magistrates were told how police had to taser the offending dog twice to free Mr Taylor.

The animal was so ferocious, officers were forced to asphyxiate it at the scene because a vet was delayed.

The dog's owner, Rein Preem, 56, a sculptor, was said to have been unaware it had been let out of his property by a friend.

Preem went to the police station and reported the animal missing. Officers put two and two together and realised the dog was responsible for the attack.

Preem, described by his solicitor as a dog lover, admitted owning a dog and allowing it to be dangerously out of control on Berkeley Close, with injury being caused, on May 19.

The defendant, of Percy Street, Nelson, was given an eight week curfew, between 9pm and 8am and must pay £500 compensation. District Judge Peter Ward, who said the animal had not been involved in any previous incidents, did not disqualify Preem from owning or keeping dogs.

The hearing was told Mr Taylor suffered puncture wounds, cuts, deep lacerations and bites, had an operation and underwent physiotherapy.

He was expected to make a full recovery. His spaniel had injuries to the mouth and gashes and treatment came to almost £200.

Jasmine Basnyet, for Preem, said there had been no concerns about the dog's temperament.