A JAPANESE hunting dog – which was spared by magistrates after savaging a woman's leg, leaving her needing skin grafts – is not dangerous, say her owners.

Fuji, a 10-year-old Akita, savaged the leg of Helen Bromfield, 52, while she was working at the Aylburton Common estate of Brian and Verity Thornton on September 29.

The dog, owned by Verity, wife of Gloucestershire County Council chairman Brian, could have been destroyed after a police complaint was brought.

Gloucester magistrates were given two options this week, either for the dog to be kept under control, or destroyed, and they chose to spare the dog.

In court, a statement from Helen was read out which said she was carrying her lurcher from her car when Fuji ran towards her.

She said Fuji sank his teeth into her, knocking her to the floor.

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