A woman has been left relieved after a court ruled her dog did not have to be put down.

Karen Moorhouse, 46, of Chapel Hill, Halstead, had admitted being the owner of a dog which attacked a woman.

On Monday, Colchester Magistrate’s Court heard victim Charlotte Mumford was driving along Chapel Hill on January 28 when she noticed the brown bloodhound sitting outside a house with no-one with it.

She pulled over as she was concerned the dog could run into the road.

She knocked on the door closest to where the dog was in the hope of finding its owner.

Prosecutor Emma Howson said: “Whilst she was at the door, the dog lunged at her and bit her twice on the arm.

“She managed to scream and shout whilst she was banging on the door.

“The defendant opened the door and managed to get the dog off her and shut it inside.”

Charlotte sustained scratches to her arms and two puncture wounds - one the size of a £2 coin.

She also suffered heavy bruising to her arm in the attack by the 12-year-old dog.