A PENSIONER whose dog bit someone so badly she was off work for months has been allowed to keep the animal.

Anthony Miller, 72, of Bowood Farm in Leigh, appeared at Swindon Magistrates Court on Wednesday and admitted being in charge of a dog that was dangerously out of control and caused an injury.

The incident occurred on November 24, 2015, when a carer was bitten by his nine-year-old German shepherd Grace as she arrived to support Anthony's wife Patricia, who has dementia.

The court heard that the carer, Marilyn Braithwaite, was visiting the home for the first time and had been told there was a dog.

Although she tried to telephone when she arrived as arranged, there was no answer.

As she approached the door a large German Shepherd ran at her, catching her fingers and then biting her inner thigh.

Anthony then came out and called the dog off with a single command.

Pauline Lambert, prosecuting, said: “She says the dog did not hesitate to attack and she did nothing to provoke it."

“She goes on to say that the way it was behaving made her think it had been trained as a guard dog.”

In a statement Marilyn said: “I was terrified, I’m sure if Mr Miller hadn’t been present the dog would have bitten me many times.”

Anthony was charged under the Dangerous Dogs Act, which means magistrates were obliged to consider a destruction order.

They were shown images of the The thigh wound measured two inches across by one inch deep and had to be dressed at either the hospital or the community medical centre each day.

Philip Hall, defending, said: “This was not the first visit by the carers, every prior visit had gone without incident."

“Indeed the dog even attended the meeting between Mr Miller, his wife and the carers where the arrangements were made.”

Grace had been held in police kennels for three months before the case came to court.

Sentencing him, chairman of the bench Jonathan Chappell said: “For this offence you will pay a fine of £575, a victim surcharge of £58 and costs of £85.

“You will pay compensation of £1,500 to Mrs Braithwaite for her injury and £270 to cover her travel expenses to and from hospital.”

Opting not to destroy the dog, magistrates ordered that when not in the presence of a responsible adult, the dog must be kept in a secure kennel, a secure cage or a secure run which are all to be installed at the house.

When in public the dog must be muzzled and kept on a standard short lead.

Mr Chappell said: “As a result of Mrs Miller’s condition she is not considered a responsible adult with regard to the dog.”