A DOG that nipped at a young boy while he and his family were walking down the street has narrowly avoided being put down.

The life of Staffordshire bull terrier, Bronson, had hung in the balance after owner Yasemin Taban admitted he was dangerously out of control on New Year’s Eve at Worcester Magistrates Court.

Bronson, along with another smaller dog, Bella, had escaped from the garden of 18-year-old Taban’s home in Tetbury Drive, Warndon, and was found in nearby Randwick Drive.

It was dark and fireworks were going off when Bronson approached a boy, who was in the street with his mother, grandmother and two other younger children.

Owen Beale, prosecuting, said: “She described the dog as barking and trying to get at his arms. He was wearing a thick, winter coat.

“He didn’t suffer any injury but he was very upset and scared and was whimpering.

“His mother and grandmother were scared and started shouting at the dog.

“The smaller Staffordshire bull terrier played no part other than circling the group.”

The boy’s grandmother managed to distract Bronson away from him but the dogs continued circling them and barking.

Police were called and had also received another report that the dogs were running around and had done so before.

At Taban’s home they found the gate to the garden had a latch but no bolt.

Andrew Whealdon, defending, said the day before New Year’s Eve, Taban’s grandmother had fallen while trying to answer the door to her.

She and her mother had gone with her grandmother to hospital and spent the night there.

Mr Whealdon said: “She had been up all night. She went to bed. Her mother was clearly distracted. The situation was serious and her grandmother died on January 19.

“Her mother let both the dogs out and accepts she didn’t check whether the gate was shut.”

Dog trainer Lisa Jackson, who assessed Bronson and said he was not aggressive, blaming his behaviour that night on excitement.

Deputy district judge David Murray ordered Bronson be muzzled and on a lead when in public and any premises where he was kept must be securely locked.

Taban will pay a £250 fine and £250 compensation to the boy, along with £135 costs.